EMS NOTES

-- Pediatric Stethoscopes have been placed in the Orange Bags on all apparatus that are certified at the Advanced -- Basic Level or higher. Please remind all members that there are to be two stethoscopes (an Adult and a Pediatric) on these apparatus at all times. This is a State Requirement. The apparatus check sheets will reflect this change.

-- There is now an IV Cooler In-Service on Medic 41. This unit will be used to chill Sodium Chloride for use in Induced Hypothermia following Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. Please remind all personnel to review the Induced Hypothermia Protocol. Research indicates that in order for the chilled IV fluids to be effective, they should be cooled and stored at 4C (39.2F). The instruction manual for our unit indicates that "Setting Level 1" will chill the fluids to the therapeutic recommendation. Personnel inspecting the apparatus should vigilantly ensure that the temperature adjustment control switch is turned to level "1". The apparatus check sheet for Medic 41 will reflect this change.

-- When Medic 41 transports a patient following an ALS Intercept from a different agency, the "Blue Billing Form" should not be sent to our Billing Company. The invoice for the transport will be billed to the BLS Agency that receives the intercept. It will be the responsibility of the BLS Agency to submit payment to Harris Township for the ALS care. Personnel completing the Patient Care Report should document this fact on the face of the "Blue Billing Form", including the name of the agency that received the intercept.

-- When personnel transfer care of a patient to the staff at Memorial Hospital, they must also personally deliver their completed Patient Care Report to the nurse they transfered the care to. It is no longer an accepted practice to leave the PCR on the chart or the counter top at MHSB. The nurse will place the pre-hospital run report on his / her copy of the Patient's chart in the ED. There have been several recent cases where the continuum of a Patient's care was jeopardized because the staff at the hospital could not locate the EMS Run Report.

-- Please have all personnel direct any changes they note to the daily / weekly apparatus inspection forms to Paramedic Schmitt. He will make any necessary adjustments to the form(s). The most up-to-date version of all apparatus inspection forms will be available for personnel to print from the G:\ Drive at the following location: G:\Forms\Apparatus & Equipment Inspection Forms.

SR 23 Widening News From The GBA

I wanted to take this opportunity to give you the results of the informational meeting held last night regarding the State Road 23 widening project. The GBA invited Aimee Kindred with the Indiana Department of Transportation to present the construction plans for the project

There was some good news. The widening will be a 2 year project. The phase that will be done in 2009 (from April to November) is only going to entail utility moves. The actual widening of the roadway will not start until March of 2010.

Some of the highlights were

• The project will go from Adams Road to Bittersweet Trails
• The project will result in a 5 lane road with sidewalks on both sides
• The project will be let to the lowest bidder on April 8, 2009
• The utility move phase will begin immediately
• In 2010 when the actual widening will begin, State Road 23 will be closed for at least 1 week at the railroad crossing. The detour will be Capitol>Cleveland Rd>Bittersweet.
• As part of the project, whenever construction effects a business entrance, there will a gravel approach into the business provided to insure that there will still be access.
• Aimee indicated that when construction begins, there will be a contractors trailer onsite where the construction supervisor will be located. She urged that if there are any concerns that develop as construction takes place to contact the supervisior and let them know there is a problem. If they are not responsive then let the State know.
• The GBA will sponsor another informational meeting in February of 2010 to get an update of the next phase. Aimee agreed to come to that meeting as well & indicated she would also try to bring the construction supervisor to the meeting.

Lastly, please join me in thanking Gene Nichols who's hard work made it possible for this meeting to take place & Aimee Kindred for coming up from Indianapolis to share her time with us.

Thanks for your support of Granger!

Todd Zaseck
GBA President

Indiana Departments Scramble To Reorganize

Here is a great piece on the state of affairs in the Indiana fire service....

http://www.firegeezer.com/2009/02/19/indiana-vfds-scramble-to-reorganize/

If we fail to chart our future, it will be done for us!

ATTENTION! DEPARTMENT MEETING

We will have a department- wide (all are encouraged to attend) meeting on Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 PM. We will discuss the future our our department and our opportunities to be proactive (once again) in planning our future. Specifically we will be discussing another upcoming Fire Territory proposal. If you have concerns or questions and are unable to attend, please see me. Thanks.

SB 512 VOTE DELAYED

Senate Bill 512 that would eliminate Townships and stop new fire territories and districts from forming has been delayed. The State Fire Chief's association (along with Chief Schabbel) has been very active in changing this bill to allow for territories, etc. The bill as it is now has a "one size fits all" fire protection plan... We would be a "county" fire department. I could editorialize about this, but will reserve comment.

For more read here:

http://www.indy.com/posts/twp-workers-pack-statehouse-hearing

I will keep you updated.....

PEER FITNESS COURSE

Pleasantview FPD is hosting the Peer Fitness Trainer Certification Program
- an initiative of the International Association of Fire Fighters, International
Association of Fire Chiefs, and American Council on Exercise. This program
offers training that is consistent with a national fitness standard for the fire
service.
DATES: APRIL 20-24, 2009
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
TUITION: $700 per person
LOCATION: Pleasantview Fire Protection District
1970 Plainfield Rd
LaGrange Highlands, IL 60525
REGISTER: Department Purchase Order or Department/Personal Checks will
guarantee registration.
Class size limited to 30 persons.
Registration Deadline: April 10, 2009
Participants will develop skills required to implement a department fitness program,
improve the wellness of fellow fire fighters, and design a physical training program for
new recruits. Successful completion of a written exam is required at the conclusion of
this five-day session.
• Exercise Psychology
• Wellness
• Exercise Programming
• Professional Responsibilities
• Task-Specific Knowledge
Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge in the following content domains
that articulate the sciences and disciplines that Peer Fitness Trainers rely on to perform
their duties:
• Anatomy
• Kinesiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition
• Exercise Techniques
• Fire Service-Specific Knowledge
All textbook and study reference material is furnished with course registration
and will be mailed directly to the student by the IAFF with paid registration.

30 Car Pile Up In Fishers

A good friend of the HTFD, BC Steve White was IC on the biggest mass casualty incident in Fishers history today on I-69. Fishers Engine 94 was struck 3 different times after initial arrival on the scene of a PI. Thanks to a cool-headed officer on board, he kept his crew seated in the truck until he knew the chain reaction impacts were over.

Check out the pictures and the triage system used to mark the cars:

http://www2.indystar.com/autofocus/galleries/show/5115/1

Fishers did a great job with multiple extractions and handling a large volume of patients.

Milwaukee FD leave Gas Leak Turned Massive Explosion

Check out this story -

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/38840932.html