07/01/08NHTSA Publishes Assessment of National EMS Workforce
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) has published EMS Workforce for the 21st Century: A National Assessment (pdf 4.1 MB). NHTSA, in partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Emergency Medical Services for Children program, entered into an agreement with the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) to undertake this project. The assessment describes the national EMS workforce and the absence of consistent, nationwide EMS workforce data. It will be paramount in guiding future strategies aimed at assuring the stability of the EMS workforce and in designing national EMS workforce data system improvements. Information on this ongoing project is also available at www.emsworkforce.com.

06/30/08 Kim Todd leave EMSTS
It's unfortunate for us that Kim Todd has resigned her Trauma Manager position and is going on to other things. Her position will be advertised and filled as quickly as possible. Kim's last day was June 20 and she offers the following comment:

It is with mixed emotions that I send this email. As some of you know, I have tendered my resignation as the Montana Trauma System Manager, effective June 20th. It was not an easy decision to make because I truly believe in the Montana Trauma System and have so enjoyed working with all of you. I plan on working as a nurse in the Bozeman area so that I can spend more time with my family but also hope to be able to participate in the Trauma System, in some fashion, in the future. I would like to take this chance to express my sincere appreciation to my friends and colleagues for such a rewarding experience. Working in the Montana Trauma System has been wonderful. Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal growth that you have provided me during the last six and a half years. I hope that I was able to make worthwhile contributions during my tenure. I do know that I have learned so much while in this position and will always treasure the experience and the relationships I have made. If I can be of any help during this transition, please let me know. Thanks and Take Care, Kim

06/30/08 Legislative Audit Released
On June 20th, the Legislative Audit Committee accepted the EMS audit report. The audit committee also issued a seperate letter to the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee on several issues. Both documents are available below:
     EMS Audit Color - A Report to the Legislature (color pdf version - 3.4 MB)
     EMS Audit BW - (low resolution B&W version - 1.5 MB)
     Memo on EMS Related Issues (pdf - 65 kb)

06/18/08 DOT Emergency Response Guidebook 2008 Is Now Available.
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2008) was developed for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving a hazardous material. It is primarily a guide to aid first responders in (1) quickly identifying the specific or generic classification of the material(s) involved in the incident, and (2) protecting themselves and the general public during this initial response phase of the incident.

A free full pdf copy can be downloaded by clicking here. Printed copies are made available free of charge to Montana emergency services by contacting your local DES coordinator or Sheri Lanz, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, Helena; phone: 841-3969, email: sheris@mt.gov.

06/18/08 Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee
Draft legislation posted
Senate Joint Resolution 5, passed by the last legislature, calls for a study of emergency medical services in Montana to determine the issues that communities face and to identify strategies for ensuring that services remain in place throughout the state.

All agendas and other meeting materials are available on the legislative Web site at http://www.leg.mt.gov. Draft legislation and other documents have been posted on the SJ5 web page. The committee is still taking comment on these and other suggestions.

06/05/08 MEDLearn Patient Simulator Classes
Register your staff for MEDLearn Patient Simulator classes that will be held this summer in Lewistown, Glasgow, Anaconda, and Polson.  There are still openings and they would like to fill them all!  There is no charge for participation by CAH facility employees and EMTs on services in CAH facility areas.   You may attend at any of the sites listed in the attached announcement. Take advantage of this free training!

Note, classes that do not fill up may be canceled.
Class size is limited and registration is on a first come first serve basis.
Detailed course information and registration

06/03/2008 - Online PreHospital Information – Licensing (OPHI-L) is here!!     MontanaHIRMS.mt.gov
OPHI-L is deployed and all EMS services are required to utilize the OPHI-L system. OPHI-L is an electronic web based licensing system; which will not only help us manage EMS Service license information more efficiently, it will also allow services to view and update their information at any time. OPHI-L packets have been mailed out to all services which include a manual to assist in completing the application and login information. If you are a service manager and have not received your OPHI-L packet please contact mhill@mt.gov (Mary Hill) and she will get you the information. The manual is available on PDF if interested.

05/02/2008 Powerful Seatbelt Message
The Montana Department of Transportation has just released a very powerful seatbelt message. It is the story of Jeremy and how his death in a car crash had a profound effect upon his wife, kids, family and friends. It also demonstrates how Jeremy and others could have survived their crash if they simply had worn a safety belt. If you would like a copy of the DVD, let us know and we'd be happy to pass a copy along.

You can view a web version of this video at: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/room_to_live.shtml

New Montana EMT License Plate
The Richland County Ambulance Service is pleased to announce the new Montana emergency medical services’ license plate.  Now every EMS person across the state of Montana can proudly display their role as an EMT on their vehicle by purchasing the newly designed license plate.

Visit the Richland County EMS website for more info and an application for the plate.