EMS NOTES

TO: All Personnel
FROM: Fire Chief John Vance
RE: Various EMS Issues / Stock Issues
DATE: July 28, 2009

Here are a few EMS issues that need your immediate attention:

1. Diltiazem & Succinylcholine are to be changed out every 30 days on the 1st of the month, not every 60 days. This is a quality control issue. The cost to replace these meds are minimal compared to having a med with a compromised efficacy.

2. Manual intraosseous needles will be placed on both of the medic units (when they are returned to service!). These needles will most likely be placed on one of the shelves in the patient compartment of the truck. The needles are being placed on the truck to be used as a "back up" option should the battery powered EZ-IO fail for some reason. These needles should not be removed from the apparatus. They are there in case there is an equipment failure and we need to attain intraosseous access in a critical patient.

3. EMS stock (equipment & supplies in the EMS store room and the yellow cart) is for Harris Fire Department use only. We are working on system that will track our inventory better. In the mean time I am counting on everyone to be “on the honor system” and use supplies purchased by the department for official use only. Taking any kind of stock for any use other than restocking for emergency calls for service will be considered theft from the fire department.

4. Please see the adjustment in the scope of practice for non-lead personnel posted on the memo boards.

Thank you for your attention when it comes to these very important matters.