Narcan over the counter!

It was announced by Emergent BioSolutions Inc. on Dec. 21, 2022, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is going to review the potential classification of Narcan spray as an over-the-counter medication making it widely available as early as March 29th.  This is great news considering that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is reporting that [...]

Another tragedy, Why prone!?!?!

Last week two emergency medical services (EMS) employees of Lifestar Ambulance Service in Springfield, Illinois, were charged with first-degree murder.  Peter Cadigan and Pegy Finley, their certification levels were not disclosed in the article, were called by law enforcement to transport a man by the name if Earl Moore Jr., 35 years old, to St. Johns [...]

Commotio Cordis, a discussion

On January 2, 2023 like many of you, I was watching the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals play on Monday Night Football (MNF).  At 1755 hrs. PST Damar Hamlin made what seemed to be a routine tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.  After the tackle Hamlin immediately stood up, but then fell to the ground [...]

PTSD and EMS

EMS World recently posted a poll regarding first responders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The question asks if a first responder is suffering from PTSD, are they ‘built” for the job? You can access the poll by following this link to answer and view the results, EMS World - PTSD Poll. As per the Substance Abuse [...]

Baby it is COLD outside

Ice Fishing Gone Wrong   A group of fishermen 200 strong had to be rescued on Monday, Nov. 28, ’22 in northern Minnesota.  The fishermen become trapped on the Upper Red Lake when a very large chunk of ice broke away from shore.  By the time the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Department and the local first responders [...]

Are you seeing an increase in RSV cases?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common illness that infects almost every child by the age of 2.  RSV presents with cold-like symptoms, runny nose, a cough, and fever and it is highly contagious and can spread very quickly through daycares, school settings, and long-term care facilities.  Once a person is infected, they remain contagious [...]

Stay Vigilant!

There were a couple reminders this week to remain vigilant while driving and working on the side of the road.  On Monday, Oct. 3 a suspected drunk driver was arrested after he was allegedly driving in the emergency lane and collided with two fire fighters that were on the scene of a previous motor vehicle collision.  [...]

Dallas Paramedic Avoids Felony Injury Charges

Dallas Fire Department Fire Fighter/Paramedic Brad Cox will not be charged with a felony as per last week’s Grand Jury. Prosecutors were seeking an indictment of injury to a disabled person. Cox’s engine was reportedly called to a grass fire on a section of frontage road along interstate 30 in 2019. Cox is seen on video [...]

Dinosaur of EMS?

Florida is Looking for Teachers!   Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that he is introducing legislation that would allow an avenue for retired law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency services (EMS) personnel to become teachers.  DeSantis stated that after serving for 20 years that these individuals who have lived a life of service are going to [...]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  It won’t be too long before we enter carbon monoxide (CO) season.  CO as we know is a colorless, odorless gas that prevents oxygen (O2) from binding to our hemoglobin.  In the United States somewhere between 170 and 400 people die every year of CO poisoning from nonautomotive sources.  These sources can be house fires, [...]