VIRGINIA LIFELINE
2015 VAVRS Youth Rescue Camp EMS Exchange Program
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2015-2016 VAVRS Officers President Kim Craig Vice President Scott Davis Secretary Cecil Leach Treasurer Tarry Pribble Training Officer Greg Burton Chaplain Mike Smoot Chaplain Emeritus Page Entsminger Historian Chris Snyder Editor Gary Dalton Legal Advisor S. Craig Lane Parliamentarian J. C. Phillips Immediate Past President Rickey Hodge Medical Advisor James R. Dudley, MD, MBA
District 1 V. P. Patrick Scott District 2 V. P. Chris Flioro District 3 V. P. Warren Winner District 5 V. P. Jason Morgan District 6 V. P. Bob Wingfield District 7 V. P. Curtis Crawford District 8 V. P. Brown District 9 V. P. Dwayne Stanley District 10 V. P. Wesley Melson Training Coordinator Kathy Eubank Administrative Secretary Shirley Bagby Bookkeeper Elizabeth Babb Lobbyist Ed Rhodes
2015-2016 VAVRS Committee Chairs Nominating: Bruce Stratton Membership: Scott Davis By-Laws: Bruce Edwards Lifeline: Gary Dalton Conference: Ford Wirt Camporee: Ronnie Slough Finance: Tarry Pribble Scholarship: Carolyn Brand EMS Memorial: Kevin Dillard Grant: Elizabeth Papelino Web Page: Gary Dalton Legislative: Bubby Bish Nominating: Bruce Stratton
Rescue College: Rickey Hodge Rescue College: Wayne Myers Facility Manager: George Langford Life Membership: Ronnie Slough Rescue Hall of Fame: Page Entsminger EMS Advisory Board: Valeta Daniels EMS Advisory Board: Denene Hannon Strategic Planning: Rickey Hodge Recruitment and Retention: Fran Phillips Volunteer Management: Dave Tesh Volunteer Management: Walter Stephens EMS Exchange Program: Jane Laverne Information Technology: Steve Ayers
2015-2016 VAJVRS Officers President Elizabeth Pittman Vice President Adarah Williams Secretary/Treasurer Toby Akers Historian Bradley Hancock Chaplain Makayla Hancock
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Advisor, Chair Alfred Smith Advisor Brandon Baugus Advisor Kim Melson Advisor Debbie Rice
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For a complete list of the current courses being offered by the VAVRS go to
WWW.VAVRS.COM
2015-2016 AVAVRS Officers President - Harry Householder Vice President - Ailease Short Secretary - Marie Householder Treasurer - Fay Browning Chaplain - Linda Berkstresser Historian - Valarie Becker Parliamentarian - Nancy Winner
Immediate Past President - Sharon Campbell Midwestern VP - Dolores Hudson Northeastern VP - Eddie Ann Orndorff Southcentral VP - Sharon Campbell Southeastern VP - Elsie Butler Southwestern VP - Roger Lynthlin Western VP - Janis Slough
2015-2016 AVAVRS Committee Chairs Conference: Fern Puckett Conference: Ruth Swicegood Nominating: Donna Porter Life Membership: Jean Garrett Emergency Care: John Dimino Resolutions: Maxie Skeen
Virginia Lifeline ISSN 0279-6023 is the official bimonthly publication of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. Editorial material should be sent directly to the VAVRS Editor at P O Box 522 Woodstock, VA 22664 (H) 540-459-4849 (W) 540-536-2758 (FAX) 540-459-4925 (C) 540-481-0125 Email-gdalton@vavrs.com
Membership: Ailease Short Finance: Fay Browning Roll Call: Laura Booze Roll Call: Clara Craig Fundraising: Stacey Frame Fundraising: Tracey Frame
Deadline for the Upcoming Issues of the VIRGINIA LIFELINE Articles may be submitted by any member of the VAVRS, AVAVRS and VAJVRS. Feature articles are encouraged. Photos and/or graphics are acceptable and can be returned if requested. Contact the Editor at gdalton@vavrs.com if you need assistance in writing an article Deadline for future issues as follows: December 1, 2015 for the January/February 2016 Issue February 1, 2016 for the March/April 2016 Issue April 1, 2016 for the May/June 2016 Issue Advertising Rates: Member Squads…,…......no charge Full Page…………………..$ 275.00 Half Page………………..…$150.00 Quarter Page……………....$100.00 Business Card……………..$ 50.00
Requests for advertising rates, material specifications and deadlines should be directed to the Editor.
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AVAVRS President Submitted by Harry Householder, AVAVRS President I want to thank all of the Auxiliaries for electing me as your President for the coming year. I will do my best to help grow the Association. I am looking forward to visiting all of the Districts and the members. If I can be of assistance please let me know. The theme this year is "Everyday Heroes". I hope that will easy for the Historians as they prepare the scrapbooks. Again, thanks you for the honor of being your President.
Rain, Rain, Go Away—Cave Spring Auxiliary Submitted by Sharon Campbell The members of the Cave Spring Auxiliary spent the last days of summer finishing their scrapbook, making BBQ sauce for the upcoming Annual Fall Barbecue, collecting school supplies and presenting the crew with new baby CPR manikins. Vickie Arnold, Patsy Wingfield, Karla Sprouse and I represented the Auxiliary at conference along with our guests, Terri Langford and Melissa Hennis. We had a great time with lots of laughs and we were proud to accept the 1st Place AVAVRS scrapbook award on behalf of our Historian, Brenda Clark and our members. We headed home from the beach to prepare for our barbecue but Mother Nature had other ideas and frankly at this point I wonder when the rain will end. Due to the weather forecast we postponed the barbecue a week. Once again we will be fixing dinner for the Cave Spring High School football team. This project is easy yet provides a lot of PR for the crew and auxiliary. We look forward to hosting the Southcentral District meeting on Sunday, October 25th. We hope to have a good turnout as the 20152016 district officers will be installed by Fran Phillips. We anticipate an active fall and winter but do so with enthusiasm for all of the upcoming events.
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Ready, Set, Go! Submitted by Ailease Short, AVAVRS Vice President We just got back from 2015 Conference in Virginia Beach and everyone seemed to have a great time. We are all so excited to begin our new year in the AVAVRS. Our President’s theme this year is “Everyday Heroes”. Listen to the words of the song that honors first respondersCause they made a promise and here they come, Someone hurting called 911 and the siren’s saying, hope is on the way there’s a hero racing to help a stranger today When people in the world need saving the saviors who answer the call Don’t get pain anymore for danger or get to pick the one’s they want They just go to where the few will go and maybe lay it all on the line As they do their job, and do it one more time. Does the above sound familiar? Our men and women are out there across our state to help our fellow man. Please continue to support them. In the AVAVRS, we are there to help also as we give aide to our men and women of the VAVRS. We are always looking for new members. If your squad has an auxiliary that is not a member of AVAVRS, please have them consider joining our group. If your squad does not have an auxiliary, have them contact us and we can help them get started. Please call me or email me if I can help.
aileaseshort@verizon.net or phone-434-848-2892
AVAVRS Conference Awards Submitted by Fern Puckett The AVAVRS made history at the 2015 Conference by electing the first male President in sixty-four years of existence. Congratulations Mr. Harry Householder. 2015 Conference Awards Life Membership Clara Craig Bassett Auxiliary Fay Browning Henrico Auxiliary Emergency Care Award Staunton-Augusta Outstanding Service Award None Auxiliary of the Year Colonial Beach
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DISTRICT SCRAPBOOKS 1st Place – Northeastern 2nd Place – Southeastern
AUXILIARY SCRAPBOOKS 1st Place – Cave Springs 2nd Place – Bensley Bermuda 3rd Place – Waynesboro 4th Place – Glade Springs Honorable Mention – Campbell Co
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Conference Notes From the AVAVRS Past President Submitted by Sharon Karlet Campbell, AVAVRS Immediate Past President The 2015 Conference is behind us and I think it was very successful. It meant so much to me to welcome everyone during the Opening on Wednesday night. Thursday morning found the AVAVRS Officers holding their first meeting. They addressed issues in regards to our upcoming meetings and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Our delegate meeting began at 1:00 so we would be out in time to attend the VAVRS Picnic which was being held at Camp Pendleton. It was a nice evening as we got to visit with old and new friends and also partake of some good food. I REALLY enjoyed being "taken care of" by our German friends. Friday morning found us once again holding a delegates meeting and after it was over I went to see the scrapbooks as well as the exhibitors. Unfortunately, the Parade was rained out. Saturday found us facing "liquid sun" but it did not dampen our enthusiasm. Congratulations to the members of the Northeastern District as well as the Southeastern District for their award winning District scrapbooks. The Auxiliary scrapbook awards were presented to Cave Spring, Bensley-Bermuda, Waynesboro, and Glade Spring with Campbell County earning Honorable Mention. Clara Craig from the Bassett Auxiliary and Fay Browning from Henrico were given the prestigious honor of being awarded Life Membership in the AVAVRS. Congratulations to both of these deserving women. Staunton Augusta was the recipient of the AVAVRS Emergency Care Award. I want to thank each of the elected and appointed officers who served with me during the last two years. Thanks, Harry, Dolores, Patsy, Ailease, Linda, Maxie, Nancy, Debbie, Clara, Fay, Roger, Janis, Laura, Ruth, Carolyn, Vickie, Pat, Donna, Valarie, Fern, Stacey and Tracey, I could not have done it without your love and support. On a personal note, I can't begin to express my gratitude to each of you for the love shown to me and my daughters at conference. The support you gave me, both mentally and physically will never be forgotten. I expressed to every doctor, nurse and tech that my goal was to make it to Virginia Beach and I did, and with your help it was a great week. Thanks to each of you who gave me a "push", I love you.
“I really enjoyed being taken care of by our German friends. “ Sharon Campbell
Photo submitted by Jane Laverne, VAVRS EMS Exchange Chair Official
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Auxiliary to the Waynesboro FAC Submitted by Cece McCormick, Waynesboro FAC Auxiliary Historian Hello everyone again from Waynesboro. It's hard to believe that Summer has ended and Fall is upon us. At the end of July we had a local EMS provider pass away. Jessi Shifflett, lifetime member of Grottoes Rescue Squad. We served food Broadway and Grottoes Rescue Squad asked the us, (AWFAC) if we could prepare and serve the dinner for her family and friends after her service. In August we prepared a banquet for the Wilson High School Class of 1950. We continue to prepare and serve meals for the monthly drills on Thursday nights and breakfast for Friday morning drills. Our birthday dinner for August was at the Outback in Waynesboro. The crew had a fund raiser which was held at the "Hometown Grill". Auxiliary members attended to support our squad. On September 11th the Auxiliary purchased mums to put in the memorial garden where Cece McCormick planted them. Also in August, Cece finished up with our scrapbook and delivered it to Lexington. In September we started with the meals for the squads monthly drills. We prepared a meal for the volunteers at the Augusta Free Clinic. We also had a banquet for the Lee Lodge Annual Ladies’ Night Out. We also served out on duty crew members dinner that night. The auxiliary gave our crew $500.00 towards the hospitality room for food and soft drink, snacks and all the condiments. We also gave the crew a check to cover the cost of the room for the entire time we were at the VAVRS Conference. At conference our auxiliary members helped collect 3 days of door prices we also had an auxiliary member help check in presidents and past presidents for three days during conference. And during the awards ceremony we also had an auxiliary member that helped sell 50-50 tickets. We placed 3rd with our scrapbook, and 1st place for the attendance award which is 10 or more members, our crew on the heavy duty crash truck took first place . Our ropes team took fourth place. We're also proud of our EMT Sr. team and David Price for EVOC. The weather wasn't the greatest but the company was. That's all for now, we hope everyone stays safe and warm until we meet at the next District meeting, in Staunton. God bless all of you and your crews and for what we all do. “Everyday Heroes”.
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The 60 Second Parliamentarian Tip Submitted by J.C. Phillips, VAVRS Parliamentarian Is it "Bylaws" or "By-laws"? If you have read my articles over the years, you know I have written on this subject a few times before. I decided to investigate this and find out the correct way to spell "Bylaws." I did some research on the computer. This was not an easy task. Over the past hundred years or so, "Bylaws" has been written different ways, such as, "Bylaws, By-laws, By-Laws, Bye laws and Bye-Laws". The following information was written, in part, by a Mr. Ken Adams on February 23, 2008. Bylaws is spelled both with and without a hyphen. It appears that "Bylaws" is gaining the upper hand. For example, the 1915 edition of Robert's Rules of Order Revised used "by-laws" but the current edition, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, uses "bylaws". And although its predecessor used "by-laws", the new Massachusetts Business Corporation Act, effective 2004, uses "bylaws". So, as Mr. Adams said, "by-laws" is dead. Long live "bylaws". As the VAVRS Parliamentarian, I say that since Robert's Rules of Order now uses the word "Bylaws" I am going to continue to write it that way. Most of the rescue squads uses Robert's Rules of Order as their guide and I think they should drop the hyphen, if it is still used. As of this writing, I have reviewed 91 sets of rescue squad's bylaws and I have always suggest that they drop the hyphen in "Bylaws". "By-laws" is gradually fading away, so get modern and write "Bylaws". Since this is the start of the Holiday Season, I would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and wish you a Merry Christmas.
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2015 VAVRS Scholarship Winners Submitted by Carolyn Brand, VAVRS Scholarship Chair Displayed are “thank you” notes that the VAVRS received from three of the winners of this year’s scholarships. The 2015 Scholarship winners were: JULIAN STANLEY WISE SCHOLARSHIPS Autumn N Hollingsworth Central Virginia Community College Studying Elementary Education Grandparents, Brenda & Jim Hargrave Forest View, District 3 Ashley Jones Virginia Commonwealth University to be a Neonatal Surgeon Grandfather, Alfred A Smith Blacksburg Rescue Squad, District 1 SYLVIA AND GARRY CLATTERBUCK SCHOLARSHIP Brianna Ryan James Madison University to be a Physician Assistant Father, Gary Ryan Danville Life Saving Grew, District 5 ANNE J GWALTNEY SCHOLARSHIP Nicholas C Anderson Virginia Tech studying Veterinarian Medicine Mother, Karen Anderson Colonial Heights Fire and EMS, District 3 CONGRATULATIONS!
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District 10 Ready for Another Exciting Year! Submitted by Wesley Melson, District 10 Vice President As 2015 breezes into its second half, the new officer’s in District 10 are excited about the opportunity to build on the successes of the last several years and build on our strong tradition of service in our district and across the entire Commonwealth. Those officer’s include: Wesley Melson—District Vice President Colonial Beach VRS
Karen Wagner—Alternate District Vice President Woodstock VRS
Jackie Taylor—Treasurer Fredericksburg VRS
Gary Dalton—Secretary Strasburg VRS
Bob Morrison—Chaplain Spotsylvania VRS
Jim Cromer—Training Officer Loudon VRS
Kimberly Melson—Junior Advisor Colonial Beach VRS
Kevin Dillard—Nominating Chair Chancellor VFR
George Langford—Life Membership Chair Brooke VFR
Byron Andrews—Legislative Chair Sterling Park VRS
Steve Dove— Recruitment and Retention Chancellor VFR Over the last year, District 10 has seen numerous accomplishments, but none greater than seeing those of our very own agencies excel at the 81st Annual Conference. On behalf of the members and officers of District 10, we salute all of the agencies around the state who work so hard throughout the entire year and especially at Conference to help shed light on what we do in volunteer EMS. We especially want to solute our member agencies Loudon Volunteer Rescue Squad for placing 2nd in the EMT competition and Colonial Beach on their many achievements including Rescue Squad of the Year and Auxiliary of the Year along with our wonderful District 10 Junior program winning 1st Place for District Scrapbook! As we move forward, the district has many exciting plans. In October we will host 75 kids from the ages of 8-18 at our 6th Annual Fall Rescue Camp at the Fredericksburg Expo Center. As always, Steve Dove and Debbie Rice have lots of exciting plans to keep everyone entertained. From rappelling to zip-lining to golf carts, you never know what may be in store next. While every district is looking for a way to lure the next generation of volunteer EMS into our Association, District 10 feels it is especially important to bridge our generational gaps, learning and growing from our rich and diverse history. With the hard work and dedication of Karen Wagner, we believe we have done just that by creating our very own District Life Membership program which was approved at our August Meeting. George Langford, along with the other VAVRS Life Members in District 10 will serve as our Life Membership Committee. We are looking forward to discovering new ways to honor those who have faithfully served our district for many years. In closing, District 10 and our entire Association has a bright future. We look forward to fostering new relationships with the other districts and helping to improve EMS in Virginia. Lastly, we send our thanks and gratitude to the Conference Committee and outgoing officers. Your leadership and hard work will leave a legacy for many, many years to come.
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News from District 9 Submitted by Ruth T. Stanley, Glade Spring VLSC Several crews from District 9 attended the 2015 Conference, congratulations to all the squads who brought home trophies: Valarie Becker of the Glade Spring Auxiliary was elected AVAVRS Historian and is looking forward to serving the AVAVRS. As we start out a new year I would like to encourage every squad in the district to participate and attend meetings and compete in the various contests, BLS, ALS, EVOC and Vehicle Extrication are all held at each District meeting. Mike Mason is the new District Training Officer and has promised that the ALS and BLS competitions will be very interesting, while it is nice to win, the main thing is to have fun and make it a learning experience.
Bristol Life Saving Crew ALS 5th place Washington County Life Saving Crew Light Duty Rescue 3rd place
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Glade Spring Volunteer Life Saving Crew Junior Scrapbook 2nd place Senior Scrapbook 3rd place Auxiliary Scrapbook 4th place
District 9 Scrapbook 2nd place Congratulations to all that competed and have a safe and great holiday!
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2015 VAVRS Rescue College Submitted by Roger Vassar Rescue College Committee and Basics and Light Awareness and Low Angle Operations CoCoordinator. On behalf of the Rescue College Committee I would like to thank all of the Instructors, Office Staff, and other individuals that gave of their time to help make this year’s Rescue College a success. I would also like to thank all of the students that attended Rescue College this year. All of you helped to make this year a great success. The Basics and Light Awareness and Low Angle Operations Level 1 of VAVRS Rope Program, Is a 32 hour class. It is also a prerequisite for the next 2 levels of VAVRS Rope programs and also the Advance Farm Program. As I said it is a 32 hour program all the class room is in the first 2-3 hours and rest of the class is hands on. In this class you are taught 20 Basic Knots. These knots are: Overhand, Figure Eight Stopper, Figure Eight on a Bright, Figure Eight Bend (connects two ropes), Trace Eight (around an object), Half Hitch, Two Hitches, Round Turn, Round Turn and Two Half Hitches, Clove Hitch-middle of rope, Clove Hitch-end of rope with safety, Right Hand Clove with safety, Left Hand Clove with safety, Square Knot with safety, Butterfly, Bowline with safety, Double Fisherman, Prusik, Water Bend (knot) and Swiss Seat. In this class the following skills are taught: 2, 3, and 4 person lifts and carries. Blanket rolls, blanketing a patient into a basket stretcher, Lashing a patient into a basket stretcher with webbing & rope. Students are also taught the proper way of carry a patient over smooth terrain as well as rubble and rough terrain. This class also teaches combination picket system and simple anchors system. We also go into ladders work in this class with ladder terminology. Teaching how to carry, set and climb ladders. We also teach ladder rescues. In this class we teach basic raise and lowing system along with basket stretcher rigging. In the stricter rigging it is simple horizontal and vertical raises and lowers. At the end of the class, we set up problem for the students to work together as a big group to use what they have been taught. Official
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Youth Rescue Camps Have Continued Success! Submitted By: Wesley Melson, District 10 Vice President If you spent any time around the Virginia Beach Convention Center this year at the 81st Annual Conference, you may have felt a youthful presence. All be it full of energy and excitement that is sometimes hard to tame, the values of today’s youth create the platform for tomorrow’s society. And that is exactly what the VAVRS Youth Rescue Camp was all about. 18 children, ages 8-18, from all over Virginia participated in the latest Youth Rescue Camp Activities including ropes and knots, EMS moulage, first aid skills, back boarding, obstacle courses, and a tour of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. The camp was made possible by the dedication and ideas of Debbie Rice and Gail Rice who also lead the Youth Rescue Camp at Rescue College that has grown to over 30 children in recent years. “Rescue Camps for kids provide an opportunity for the youth to be introduced to the field of Public Safety and volunteerism. They are the future of EMS, Fire and our communities” said Debbie Rice, Camp Coordinator. “These camps allow the strong volunteer EMS values established by the members of VAVRS to be carried on and we are proud and honored to be a part of ensuring this happens” said Gail Rice, Camp Coordinator. Be on the lookout for more information on our Youth Rescue Camp at Rescue College in June of 2016. The three-day event includes SCUBA diving, rappelling from Lane Stadium, a Hokie Hunt, and tons of other Fire & EMS theme activities to introduce your children to the world of Fire and EMS. For more information, please contact Debbie Rice at debbierice8@verizon.net
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VAVRS EVOC Instructors Certified at the 2015 Recue College Official
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The EMS Leadership Challenge 2015 Gold Standard Leaders Submitted by Karen Wagner, EMS Leadership Challenge Co-Coordinator It is often said that “people don’t quit agencies, they quit leaders”, or the lack there of. That is why eight agencies in Virginia are celebrating their leaders who recently completed the EMS Leadership Challenge. Candidates from the Leadership Summit at the 2015 Rescue College; Wesley Melson, Erika Waldron, James “Buddy” Thomas, Jessica Rea, Chris Vernovai, Alexander Nance, and Eric deforest received the honor of Gold Standard Leadership on September 23, 2015 at the 81st Annual Conference of the VAVRS held in Virginia Beach.
2015 Leadership Challenge Graduates: L-R Chris Vernovai-Highland Co VRS, Eric deforest-Virginia Beach Department of EMS, James Thompson-Richmond VRS, Jessica Ann Rea-Ridgway District VRS, Erica Waldron-Ocean Park VF & RU, Wesley Melson-Colonial Beach VRS and Alexandra Nance-Colonial Beach VRS
Each of the candidates presented a summary of their leadership project to the review team as their peers listened intently to new processes they too could adapt to address similar challenges at their own agency. “One of the most beneficial aspects of attending the leadership challenge is the ability to network, you find out quick that you are not alone, other agencies have the same problems you do”, stated one of graduates at the completion of the program. The truth is, many agencies attempt to address problems they believe only affect their agency and in doing so they overlook the underlying issue of how the problem developed in the first place. For most, it is the lack of leadership skills that cause the agency to fail thus providing a program that focuses on leadership enhancement is the most beneficial approach to the success of EMS agencies in Virginia. The EMS Leadership Challenge allows candidates to openly review the structure of their agency and how it functions. It then provides them with the resources to rely on the skills they possess and enhance areas where their leadership knowledge may not be as strong. In doing so, the seasoned leader, newly appointed leader or an individual with a desire to become a leader enter the program at their level and address only the skill areas that they need or want to enhance. Here are some excerpts from of the projects and competency developments completed by the 2015 Gold Standard Leaders. (Continued on page 25)
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For my leadership challenge
project I developed a new member orientation for the rescue squad that was aimed at improving process of becoming a new member through mentorship. In order to accomplish my goals I worked with my squad captain, the training staff we had appointed, and our executive board. I started working on this project while still at the summit and though complete, it is an ongoing, dynamic process that will be continuously implemented within my squad. The new member orientation is a twofold process: orienting new members to the station whether support staff or operational, and then supporting our interns through their internship. Much of the work for my project involved the development of a new member’s manual, which required updated bylaws, SOP’s, and training documents. Throughout this process I became much more aware of how I portrayed myself to others. I learned that I could hand over some of the control to others and that I had to trust that they would fulfill the tasks I had set before them. I was challenged with meeting deadlines, since I often relied on other people, and I feel that I improved my communication skills tremendously while completing my project.
I took over the squad’s annual ride for cancer fund drive program. This is our fourth year and we are
dedicating the ride to a lifetime member, who passed earlier this year due to breast cancer. We do this event to raise monetary funds for Ladies’ First Health Initiative, a local organization that helps both women and men afford tests and treatment for cancer. The One-Page-Plan template provided by this course has been adapted into other parts of my life—for training on behalf of the squad, other squad projects, and for my direct sales business. My communication skills improved because I had to learn to ask for help and delegate responsibilities, which are still a work in progress, and to get the products and services I wanted for this event, including an on-line store to pre-register and buy apparel and other items.
The goal of my project was to prepare EMS providers for the upcoming changes in CMS billing. Using
a checklist method, I drew up a document that providers can use while completing patient care reports to ensure that details necessary for billing are included in their chart. The first step of my pilot study was a series of lectures given to each of the 7 rotating duty crews at my rescue squad. I then placed laminated copies of the checklist on each unit’s dashboard for reference. Though I have no quantitative data to present as of now, via QA/QI on behalf of the organization, narratives are becoming more and more detailed. Even during early stages of the project, I found myself learning material I never would have found regarding medical billing and coding. My own patient care reports are more detailed, and in turn are more useful to receiving facility staff, and my history taking is much (Continued on page 26)
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more thorough. It’s natural for us as EMS providers to unconsciously use algorithms and protocols. Using the same method, I believe this system can ensure that we get an adequate return on our services.
My volunteer rescue squad has diligently attempted to
sponsor a local EMT course in conjunction with a recruitment campaign. Due to immense volunteer time commitment, expense and finite population, scheduling an EMT course had been deemed implausible. Through partnerships with the EMS Council, the Board of Supervisors and the county public school system, I have accomplished my short-term recruitment, retention and local training goals. Previously, aspiring members were required travel time exceeding one hour to the nearest class and responsible for self-pay education expenses. In recognition of these hurdles, I restructured and created a program to include a Training Reimbursement Contract providing members an agency funded education in-turn for active volunteer service to the agency. I pursued and was awarded nearly $14,000 in RSAF funds for training equipment for hosting a local EMT class and continuing education. Following these partnerships and modifications to the agency’s policies, our agency has received twenty-five new applicants between June and September of 2015. Fifteen of the nineteen that were accepted, plus three previous members, (eighteen total) have enrolled in this local EMT course in beginning September increasing membership by 82% and revitalizing membership morale.
My volunteer rescue squad desperately needed an up-to-date recruitment and retention program. I
started with retention. We have about 40 “Active Members” on our rolls. Approximately 10% of them help us function smoothly, whether it be from an administrative aspect or an operations aspect, or both. I needed to figure out a way for our current members to become more interested in helping out. After talking to our members, I revised our current incentive program, and made it fairer to those that were doing more than simply running the minimum duty hours required of them. Next came recruitment. When someone wanted to join our squad, we usually handed them an application and a fingerprint card and expected them to return it. That had to change. After reviewing other squad’s recruitment packets, we came up with our own. Then it was time to implement an actual membership interview. I researched different interview questions from EMS organizations, both paid and volunteer, and came up with 13 open-ended questions for us to use during our interview process. I am currently still working on developing a mentorship program for new members to continue to help make us all stronger as a team.
Entering into our 10th year with over 240 graduates, here is a summary of the EMS Leadership Challenge program created exclusively for EMS leaders in Virginia. Developed by the VAVRS, the EMS Leadership Challenge allows individuals of various levels of leadership backgrounds to meet the demands of leading an EMS agency with greater success. Working with professional skills development consultants and a system of accountability mentors, the program takes a four step approach to (Continued on page 27)
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leadership skills enhancement. Step 1—Complete an online assessment—The program utilizes the Myers-Briggs assessment tool to provide a baseline for the candidate to identify their leadership strengths and areas for development. Step 2—Attend the EMS Leadership Challenge Summit— Candidates attend a two day, 16 hour workshop where they work alongside other EMS leader candidates solving common agency problems, identifying personal leadership goals, and focusing on core EMS leadership success competencies. At the summit the candidate is introduced to a personal accountability mentor who is available to help them through the self-study development to help assure success. Step 3—Self Study—Each candidate will customize a personal one-page plan that focuses on the completion of a leadership project of their choosing. The plan includes required readings, exercises and applications that build on the candidate’s strengths and opportunities for development. During this phase the accountability mentor is available to assist the candidate to reach their development plateau in their program participation process. Step 4—Complete a Gold Standard Leadership Project— Candidates choose a leadership project utilizing their newly developed skills. They complete a project plan, keep a project journal, write a final thesis and present their project results to a team of EMS professionals. Candidates complete this process within 90 days from the completion of the summit. If you are interested in applying to enroll in the program please contact the course coordinators at kwagner@vavrs.com or gdalton@vavrs.com
The 2015 VAVRS Rescue College EMS Leadership Challenge Candidates, Instructors, Coordinators and Mentors.
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Infectious Disease Control-Basic and Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) Submitted by Karen Wagner, VAVRS IDC Coordinator Individuals who render emergency medical services are clearly at risk for blood exposure incidents. Pre-hospital care is often rendered in a hostile or uncontrolled environment. Conditions beyond the control of the employee, broken glass and sharp metal at an accident scene, weapons at the scene of a violent crime, and inclement weather may complicate the tasks and make them more hazardous. Recent CDC guidelines apply to personnel rendering emergency medical service. The pre-hospital emergency care providers, unlike their counterparts in hospitals and other medical facilities, do not have the luxury of controlled clinical environments. Field delivery of medical care often involves the challenges of adverse operating conditions, limited equipment and resources and limited time. The house call, once a regular part of a physician's practice, is now almost exclusively the duty of the emergency responder and as rescuers there is little we can do to change the dynamics of that situation and once again, it is simply the world in which we must operate. Every EMS agency licensed by the VA Office of EMS has a legal responsibility to assure that the members/employees of their agency are provided with a safe environment when caring out the duties of emergency medical services. To assure that EMS providers are offered such protection, the federal agency of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), developed what is commonly known in our field as the Bloodborne Pathogens Final Standard §1910.1030. Like EVOC for drivers, training in Infection Control is required for all providers who are risk for exposure in the performance of their duties. To accomplish compliance to this standard requires several agencies to work together; the Center for Disease Control (CDC), VA Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH), OSHA, the VA Department of Health (VDH), The Office of EMS, (OEMS) and the EMS agency itself. Sometime much confusion occurs when so many hands play a role; however, for us in Virginia it is truly very simple. Public Safety and Emergency Medical Services personnel who may be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials include emergency medical service providers, firefighters, law enforcement and correctional officers. These employees are covered under the final standard if they have actual or potential occupational exposure to blood or other body fluids and if they are employed by the private sector, the federal government, or a state or local government in a state that has an OSHA-approved state plan—of which Virginia does. So who is an employee? Anyone who performs a service for an employer is considered an employee. So does that mean volunteers are employees? In the enforcement of this standard- YES volunteers are considered employees since by regulation/law agencies are responsible for their actions and the provider must be affiliated with an agency in order to perform their duty in the field. Again, it is really pretty simple. Congress determined that OSHA is to protect healthcare and public safety workers at a minimum from HIV and HBV. So congress than mandated the CDC to develop guidelines for protecting healthcare and public safety workers from HIV and HBV and to submit the guidelines to OSHA to be placed in the standard. So how does the OEMS become involved in compliance with this standard? VDH is the state agency that oversees the actions of the Office of EMS and OEMS issues licenses to EMS agencies to provide EMS services around the Commonwealth—thus the OEMS becomes the eyes and ears for OSHA and VOSH when it comes to compliance to bloodborne pathogens and the protection of workers who may be exposed during the performance of their duties. Remember it does not matter if your agency has career staff or volunteers who are compensated or non- compensated, the standard is the standard of care and it is the there for all persons who respond, assist, or are affiliated with your agency.
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To help assure that providers, both seasoned and new to the service, clearly understand the risks they may be exposed to, the VAVRS provides two training programs that meet the training requirements of the OSHA Standard §1910.1030. The VAVRS programs are one of two programs approved by the Virginia OEMS for training on bloodborne pathogens and designated officer training. The VAVRS Basic IDC class is four hours in length. Students are not required to be EMS certified. The program is presented in a way in which both the seasoned and newly certified or non-certified provider will understand. When attending the VAVRS Basic IDC training program, providers receive training which covers the topics of exposure determination, methods of compliance, diseases of risk (HIV, HBV), Hepatitis B vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards, and record keeping. In the VAVRS Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) program, attendees learn how to help their agency comply with the aspects of the standard which mandates the agency’s Exposure Control Plan, what vaccines your agency has to provide to your members/employees, how to report a work related exposure and who do you have to report it to, what annual IDC training has to consist of, who is considered an employee, who is considered a volunteer, what medical records does an agency have to maintain, who has access to those records, what does the DICO really do and many more roles and responsibilities of the DICO are covered in the program. The VAVRS DICO class is 8 hours in length. Completion of the VAVRS Basic IDC program is required prior to attending the DICO course. The program provides the candidate with an understanding of the bloodborne standard and their role as a representative of their EMS agency. For more information on how you can schedule a training class in your area, please contact the VAVRS office at 1800833-0602 or visit our training page on line at www.vavrs.com.
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THE VAVRS STATE RESCUE COLLEGE——JUNE 10-19, 2016 is held annually to offer basic and instructor level training programs. State Rescue College provides training that enables providers to become better qualified in the many phases of basic and specialized rescue services statewide.
Basic Level Courses Offered:
Instructor Level Courses Offered:
EMT-B Category 1 Recertification Course Prehospital Trauma Life Support – PHTLS Advanced Cardice Life Support – ACLS Pediatric Advanced Life Support – PALS Geriatric Education for EMS – GEMS Advanced Medical Life Support – AMLS Tactical Medic Course Sports Injury/Sports Medicine for EMS Providers EMS and Forensic Evidence Spanish for the EMT Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness Infectious Disease Control Infectious Disease Control Officer Auxiliary Workshops EMS Leadership Challenge – Summit Grant Writing Parliamentary Law Recruitment and Retention National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Tools and Tips for Management Workshop Operational Medical Director Course Basic and Light Duty Rescue Awareness and Low Angle Operations Vertical Rescue – High Angle Operations Level Advanced Vertical Rescue – Technical Level Cave Rescue Emergency Vehicle Operator Trailer Operations Farm Machinery Extrication – Basic Farm Machinery Extrication – Advanced Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations – Basic HTR – School Bus Rescue Advanced Vehicle Extrication Search and Rescue – Basic Introduction to Swift Water Rescue – Basic Swift Water Rescue – Basic ATV Awareness and Operations Class Man vs Machine Rescue Camp for Youth Rescue Explorers
Methods of Instruction Basic and Light Duty Rescue Awareness and Low Angle Operations Vertical Rescue – High Angle Operations Level Advanced Vertical Rescue – Technical Level EMT Instructor Institute BLS and ALS Education Coordinator Updates Emergency Vehicle Operator Farm Machinery Extrication Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness HTR-School Bus Rescue Infectious Disease Control Search and Rescue Swift Water Rescue Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations
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Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue Celebrates Fire Prevention Week Submitted by Sara Hunt, PR Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue (CVFR) kicked off the annual recognition of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, 2015, with a special display about fire safety at the Home Depot at Harrison Crossing, 5771 Plank Road in Fredericksburg on Saturday, October 3 from 9 a. m. to Noon. The public was invited to drop by during those hours to pick up free materials related to fire safety as well as general safety information. A Chancellor fire truck and apparatus was onsite, and CVFR members were on hand to answer questions about the safety displays.
Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue member Abbey Coutscoudis talks with a Home Depot customer who visited the CVFR display about safety. She’s explaining how to obtain the CPR Anytime Kit to take home and learn important lifesaving skills.
The 2015 theme for Fire Prevention Week was “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep” to raise awareness about the need to install a working smoke alarm in every bedroom of a home. “Many fires are reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are sleeping,” said Beth Addington, president of Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue. “Smoke can quickly overwhelm them if they aren’t awakened quickly.”
Addington also commented on an alarming fact that many fire stations are seeing around the country, including in Spotsylvania County. “People aren’t changing the batteries in their smoke alarms,” she stated. “ A non-working smoke alarm is of no use in an emergency, so please check the batteries and replace them if needed.” Some other activities planned by Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue to celebrate Fire Prevention Week included: Oct. 3 – A member breakfast at CVFR’s Company 5 station honored firefighters and EMS providers along with their friends and families. Oct. 7 – CVFR visited Chancellor Elementary School to launch the annual Fire Prevention Safety Presentation and Coloring Contest. At a later date, the winning student will be driven to school in a CVFR fire truck. Oct. 7 – CVFR conducted a recruitment drive at Germanna Community College. Oct. 10 – CVFR sponsored the CPR Station at the Kids Rescue Camp at the Fredericksburg EXPO & Conference Center. “Fire Prevention Week is observed nationwide to remind everyone that home fires can happen at any time, and they can result in a tragic loss of life and property,” said Kevin Dillard, Administrative Chief of Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue. “Many of these fires can be prevented by following some basic safety rules such as not leaving the kitchen while something is cooking on the stove.”
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A future firefighter shows off his fire truck built during the Build & Grow workshop at Home Depot during Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s kickoff event for Fire Prevention Week November
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VAVRS Chaplain Submitted by Mike Smoot, VAVRS Chaplain I hope that everyone enjoyed Conference this year. Thanks to Ford Wirt and all of the Conference Committee Members for a great conference. For those of you who were unable to attend, you missed a great time of learning, great fellowship and lots of rain. On Saturday night, we remembered 82 Squad and Auxiliary members during the Memorial Service. I would like to thank Gary Dalton and Ailease Short for their help reading the names during the service. Also, a big thank you to the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew Foundation for providing the programs for the Memorial Service. If you wish to have your Squad Member, Auxiliary Member or Junior Member remembered in the Memorial Service at Conference, please send a picture of the member along with a Squad patch directly to me at my home address or to my email address and not to the State Office. This way, I will be sure to have everything I need for the Memorial Service. If you can do this within 30 days after the member passes away, it will cut down on numerous phone calls at the last minute and members not getting in before the deadline. We want to honor all of our members but I can’t include them if I don’t know about them. The deadline for submitting names for the Memorial Service is September 1st. I would like to obtain either a patch or a copy of a patch from each and every Squad in the State. I am compiling a book with all of them in it for the Chaplain so they will have it to use for the Memorial Service. Please either mail a patch or email a good clear picture of the patch to me at your earliest convenience. My address and/or email address are in the State directory. The Death Benefit Forms will still be sent to the State Office for processing. If your Squad or Auxiliary are not members of the Death Benefit Program, please check out the information on the Website. It only costs $3.00 per member and it pays out promptly upon proper filing of the forms. If you need more information concerning the Plan, please give me a call. I look forward to serving as your Chaplain for the coming year. If you need anything, please give me a call or send me an email. I hope that the coming Holiday Season will be joyful and that the New Year will bring wonderful blessings to each and every one of you. May God Bless You and keep you safe in your journeys. Pray for peace and the safety of our men and women who protect our Country.
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VAVRS Immediate Past President Submitted by Rickey Hodge, VAVRS Immediate Past President That will take me some time to get used to for sure. Two years ago as I was leaving the Va. Beach Resort Hotel my goal was to do my best to please everyone 100% of the time. Unfortunately, I have failed miserably at that. While I feel I did my best, I’m sure there are those that feel I did not fulfill the hopes and expectations that they had. Being President and having the responsibility of an 800,000.00 budget, three employees, nearly 300 Instructors, and countless committees and the General Assembly and Ed Rhodes is a lot for a volunteer position. Too much actually. I have relied on Bubby Bish and Steve Grayson a lot for advice and guidance. Page Entsminger has on more than one occasion calmed me down and had me rethink things before I spoke. Ronnie Slough has as well helped me a lot. Speaking of Ronnie, Please remember him in your prayers as he has a lot on his plate with the declining health of Susie. It is heartbreaking to me to see him suffer as he is. He is a good man that I am blessed to call him my friend. The VAVRS is heavily involved at the State Level in many theaters. Fire/EMS Caucus, VDEM, DFP, OEMS to name a few .The need to reinstate the Chief Rescue Officer position was a need and a plus to the Association as we are needed and our opinion does matter. However, we must attend these meetings to make a difference. I was determined to stay within our budget each year as I was the person to answer if we didn’t. There were times that I had to say no to Instructors, Officers and sometimes I was the bad guy. That’s o.k. I know some people take it personal and a few called me names, but I believe I have had the Association best interest in mind when these decisions were made. We have come a long way in the few years getting ourselves in a good financial position. That came with working close with Steve Grayson, Our Treasurer almost on a daily basis. Moving monies to and from accounts and putting the monies back was the way we got into good position. We have purchased new equipment for our officers, instructors and are currently upgrading our entire office Official
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computer software to a new server and a friendlier website. I want to congratulate Tommy Gwaltney for his induction into the Virginia Life Saving Hall of Fame. I too was very honored and humbled with this honor. I want to remind all of you if you have someone you wish to nominate for this prestigious honor, go to the VAVRS website and closely follow the directions for the process. Deadline is December 31, 2015 Rescue College will be here before you know it as we have deadlines for that as well. The Committee works really hard to bring this to you each year. We constantly have new classes and need new Instructors. I am hoping for pictures as we get closer to the event to show each of you just what we offer. My hat is off to our Committee Members who work really hard and also the many Instructors that virtually take off, some of them 9 days vacation for this to be a success year in and year out. The raffle for the Polaris 4 wheeler is under way!!! That was thrill for me to ride that in on Saturday night and I want to tell you it is very important to all of us to sell each and every ticket for this fund raiser. A Buffet Dinner at our awards/ memorial service will be awesome and the best part there is no increase for the registration fee. Sometimes I have been faced with people that don’t believe in these type fund raisers, however we have to come up with our own ideas to raise money to offset our Conference cost. Thank you for selling and buying these tickets to support your association. In closing, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support and for being a great family to me. See you all soon!!! That is all.
Photo of attendees at the Hall of Fame Breakfast held at the VAVARS Annual Conference. Pictured above on front row L-R Clayton Lester, JC Phillips, A Page Entsminger, Carroll R Hawkes 2nd row L-R Kevin Dillard, Bubby Bish, Ronnie Slough, Steve Davis, Ford Wirt, Jack Swicegood 3rd row L-R Ken Morgan, Steve Grayson, Roger Vassar, Wayne Myers, Lin Matthews, Kelly Walters Page
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Safety: A Core Value Submitted by Tricia Matthews, Director of Business Development and Marketing—LifeCare Medical Transports LifeCare Medical Transports is committed to safety for its patients and employees. LifeCare has invested in several custom designed ambulances that are equipped with the most advanced technology available to provide specialized safety features.
These features include: Forward facing pivoting seats with 4 point harness which enables the EMT to provide quality patient care and reach supplies while being safely secured.
Solar Panels on the roof to give the ambulance an auxiliary power source. They will help maintain battery life and provide power to the vehicles’ many electrical systems. Solar panels will also reduce the need for engines to idle and therefore will be more energy efficient and environmentally safe.
Complete LED lighting for energy efficiency and better dependability.
New Reflective Panels on floors and doors for on the scene safety.
Reinforced side panels to add structural rigidity to the box and increase safety for our employees and patients.
LifeCare believes safe and efficient equipment provides a better working environment for its employees and better service for its patients.
New Bariatric Trucks for LifeCare Submitted by Tricia Matthews, Director of Business Development and Marketing—LifeCare Medical Transports LifeCare Medical Transports welcomed two new dedicated bariatric trucks to their fleet in September. These customized ambulances are designed to provide safe and dignified transportation to those whose condition requires special transport. Our industry is facing a new challenge to provide quality care to a growing population of overweight patients. These new vehicles have special features designed to help our EMT’s provide the safest and most efficient care to their patients while protecting them from possible injuries. The new features include a hydraulic lift gate on the rear of the vehicle and larger fully powered bariatric stretchers, which are designed for easy maneuvering, optimal patient comfort and easy patient access for our EMTs. These vehicles are designed to reduce the risk of injury to the caregivers during the raising and lowering process. Additional safety restraints and a specially trained crew allow LifeCare to provide quality service to accommodate all of our patient’s needs. Official
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The “Real� Attic
Conference is over; it rained and blew, but a success. Congratulations to all of the competition teams for their successes during the week. In addition, congratulations to the new VAVRS slate of officers for the coming year. As past presidents can tell you, I will keep you busy especially beginning in January. During the conference, the Board of Governors voted to support the EMS Compact legislation that we have been working on for the past year or so. President Hodge signed a resolution of support shortly after the vote. This is very important legislation as it affects all of us in our day to day activities. The legislation will be introduced again in January and when it comes before committee, I will be asking that as many of that can attend please make every effort. Thanks to the Legislative Committee for working on this shortly after the opening of the conference. We continue to work with the other stakeholders on the Line of Duty Act legislation with members of the legislature. Additional meetings will continue throughout the remainder of the year as new legislation is being crafted. Shortly after returning from conference, I attended a meeting on the FirstNet communications system. This system will be developed through funds received from the sale of band-widths and will be strictly for public safety. At some point in time, contact representatives from your locality may be contacting you concerning your needs, etc., for the new system. Not a lot of details as of yet, but you will be kept informed through your District Vice Presidents and others.
Chief Steve Cover
Delegate Bill DeSteph
I would also like to thank Delegate Bill DeSteph of Virginia Beach for his keynote address at the opening and to Chief Steve Cover of the Virginia Beach Fire Department for his welcoming remarks. As we said during the report, we continue to work on obtaining funding for the cost of stretchers in the coming year. The pace of meetings is beginning to pick up. The Governor introduces his budget in mid December and we hope there will be some good news for the EMS community. If not, we will have a lot of work ahead of us. Again, we will be attending some of the district meetings and the Executive Committee meetings and the EMS Advisory Board meetings in the coming months. We are working with President Craig on a date for VAVRS attendance during the legislative session in 2016. See you soon and any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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VAVRS Adds New Social Media Manager to the Recruitment and Retention Committee Submitted by Wesley Melson, District 10 Vice President Wesley Melson, EMS Chief with Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad and newly elected District 10 Vice President has been appointed the role of Social Media Manager serving with the Recruitment and Retention Committee. The VAVRS is working hard to share our stories and improve communications along with attracting new agencies and members to the association. It only makes sense that social media has become a major component to expand our reach and target audience. Following the Conference, Wesley quickly got to work on the Association’s Facebook page sharing several stories including the VAVRS/German Paramedic Exchange program, the Youth Rescue Camp at Conference, a News 13 Now video story of the EMS competitions during conference, our new raffle, District 1 CE weekend, and the recently announced VAVRS/ SEOR-Ops Trail Ride. The efforts are paying off as the VAVRS Facebook page has seen a 4% increase in page likes in just 3 days and reached over 9,247 people with 854 engaged in the stories. In addition, we are expanding our reach by creating similar marketing campaigns on Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. We hope to have all of the pages up and running by the 1st of the Year. In addition to Wesley, several other members will be serving as contributors to our social media campaign including Bobby Hill (Recruitment and Retention Co-Chair), Frank Smith (District 5 Alt. V.P.), Chris Florio (District 2 V.P.), Chris Snyder (Historian), Curtis Crawford (District 7 V.P.) and Brandon Baugus (VAJVRS Advisor) to allow us to capture news and stories from all over the State. If you have questions, ideas, suggestions, or stories to share, please contact Wesley Melson at wesley.melson@ymail.com, by phone at 540-735-4888, or mail to 919 Bancroft Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443. Be on the look for different ways to earn cool prizes by participating in our like, share, and tag Facebook giveaways in the coming months!
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2015-2016 Members of the Recruitment and Retention Committee Submitted by Fran Phillips, Recruitment and Retention Chair If you have ideas you would like to share, on either Recruitment or Retention, let us know. Each VAVRS District should have a person designated to help their district with Recruitment and Retention issues. Those on the VAVRS Recruitment & Retention Committee for 2015 - 2016 are listed below. Fran Phillips, Chair
Bobby Hill, Co-Chair
Post Office Box 1118
740 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Midlothian, VA 23113
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Cell Phone: [804] 794-5208
Phone: [757] 647-2789
Email: rs1inva@gmail.com
Email: recruitment@vbrescuefoundation.org
Wesley Melson, Social Media Manager 919 Bancroft Avenue Colonial Beach, VA 22443 [540] 735-4888 Email: wesley.melson@ymail.com
“THANK YOU” for your Service GIFT: The VAVRS Recruitment & Retention Committee was able to give a small “First Aid Kit” to the Conference registered persons. The left over kits have been given to the nine VAVRS District Vice Presidents to use as door prizes at their meetings. These kits are excellent for backpacks, brief cases, pocket books, glove boxes in your car, etc. THANK YOU to those who helped distribute the Kits at Conference. On Wednesday Bobby Hill [VAVRS R & R Co-Chair and Frank Smith [District 5 Vice President], on Thursday Steve & Cheryl Southworth [District 1 Vice President] and Carolyn White [District 2 Vice President] were at the Recruitment & Retention table. On Friday the Registration Committee agreed to distributed the kits so we could go to the VAVRS meeting. If Bobby, Wesley or I can help you with R & R issues or suggestions, give us a call or email us. THANK YOU for your continued service to the citizens of Virginia and to the VAVRS.
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CBVRS’ Kim Melson is First in Virginia to Complete Hybrid EMT Program Pilot EMT Course from LifeCare Combines On-line & HandsOn Learning Submitted by Sara Hunt, PR Colonial Beach, Va. (Sept. 28, 2015) – Kim Melson, a longtime member of the support team at Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, is the first person in the state of Virginia to successfully complete a new “hybrid” EMT program that combines both eLearning and in-house/hands-on training. This non-traditional EMT program was developed and offered over the summer by LifeCare Medical Transports in Fredericksburg, Va. Typically, an EMT certification course requires students to attend more than 150 hours of in-house, instructor-led classroom education. This format often deterred many potential EMT candidates due to work or personal conflicts. LifeCare’s hybrid program utilizes an online learning system for the cognitive elements of the program, which offers more flexibility to fit with a student’s available time. Also, every Saturday, the EMT candidates attended mandatory training sessions where they worked in teams to learn, practice and perfect their EMS lifesaving skills. “The ability to study and work on the cognitive portion on my own time made it more convenient than having to attend classes three or more times a week,” said Kim Melson. “This allowed us to focus every minute in class on hands-on learning.” Melson’s husband, Wesley Melson, is Rescue Chief of CBVRS, and her children are active in the squad’s Colonial Beach Juniors program. Sarah Emery, also with CBVRS, joined Melson in the pilot EMT program and will take the final test soon to earn her certification. Like Melson, Emery was eager to enroll in this innovative pilot program created by LifeCare, and she praised the hybrid format as being ideal for her busy schedule. “Although you must be very self-disciplined, the program allowed me to complete my course work on my own timetable,” Emery said. “If I had to sit in a classroom for hours of lectures, I would not have been able to take the course due to the other responsibilities in my life. The instructors were so knowledgeable and dedicated. I definitely give the course an A+!” According to LeRon Lewis, employee development manager of LifeCare Medical Transports, LifeCare looks forward to continuing the hybrid EMT program in the future, both in Fredericksburg and in other locations across the state. “I was very impressed with the comprehension level of the students in the hybrid EMT program, which is uniquely designed for all learning styles,” he said. “They applied their newly acquired knowledge from the online portion to the practical sessions on Saturdays. I am so proud of Kim and Sarah, along with their fellow classmates who want to help others by becoming EMTs.” Page
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A Unique Approach to Stress Management Submitted by Brett Locklair BA NRP, Southside Virginia Emergency Crew "If a dog will not come to you after having looked in your face, you should go home and examine your conscience." Woodrow Wilson Stressors are an apparent part of EMS. Whether they present themselves in back to back calls or a traumatic incident, each carries its own weight on our overall mood and affect. Some providers try and find an escape in different hobbies and the occasional vacation. However, many struggle to find a way to make positive moves while on shift.
Photos Submitted by Brett Locklair, Southside VA Emergency Crew
Southside Virginia Emergency Crew has adopted a unique approach to stress management. Many crew members, both paid and volunteer, have started to bring their dogs to the station for the duration of their shift. It is no surprise that these animals have become a part of our family. Talking to Amber Hamel about her dog Krieger, she stated that, "His snuggles lower my blood pressure." While speaking to Stuart Righter concerning his dog, Halligan, "It's nice to have a companion that is excited to see me when I get back." The always humorous Jen Moring jokes that "cleaning up after Lennox and trying to get his fur off blue pants is definitely a distraction from a long shift." Taking a more proactive approach, Bee Betts mentions that "training Patch in obedience and trick dog certifications has given me an outlet to get involved in something totally different than EMS." We at Southside Virginia Emergency Crew challenge each organization to find your own unique approach to stress management. We can assure you that if you find the right ones, you can battle stressors before they begin to show their weight. Patch and Lennox Official
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Patch and Krieger
Halligan
Patch looking a Krieger Page
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Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad is #1 in Virginia
Squad Earns Five First Place Awards at VAVRS Annual Conference Submitted by Sara Hunt PR Colonial Beach, Va. (Sept. 28, 2015) – Local EMS volunteers are bursting with pride—and deservedly so! At the annual convention of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS) last week, Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad was named the 2015 Volunteer Rescue Squad of the Year. In addition, the squad’s hard-working Support Team was selected as 2015 Auxiliary of the Year. The squad’s haul of First Place honors continued with the following recognitions: First Place Promotion of Safety
First Place Junior Scrapbook
First Place Junior District Scrapbook
Other distinguished awards included: Second Place Scrapbook
Third Place Website
Sixth Place EMT Team
Several CBVRS members will serve VAVRS 10th District in the following capacities: Makayla McMahan was installed as the Junior Association Chaplain
Mackenzie Melson will serve as the 10th District Junior Historian
Wesley Melson was installed as the 10th District Vice President
Kim Melson was appointed as one of four VAVRS Junior Advisors at the state level
“VAVRS is a statewide organization of more than 300 EMS agencies that do a wonderful job of serving their communities, so we are truly honored, humbled and thrilled to be judged the best of the best for 2015,” said Wesley Melson, Rescue Chief of CBVRS. “Every single one of our members, including our amazing Juniors and our dedicated support group, contributed to help us earn this prestigious award. It’s a great time to be a volunteer at Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad!”
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Dear Rescue Ranger Dear Rescue Ranger, You are always the professional but I bet you have had some embarrassing moments in your life. Tell me one if you will. F P Dear Fern, I was in a restaurant when I suddenly realized I desperately needed to “break wind”. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my flatulencies with the beat. After a couple of songs, I started to feel better. I finished my meal and noticed that everybody was staring at me. It was then I suddenly realized I was listening to music to my iPhone.
bruises. Wanted to share this with you. J L Dear Jane, Maybe you should tend to the sick and leave the well alone. Dear Rescue Ranger, How do you like being a grandparent? T G Dear Tommy, Most of the time it is great but I believe my grandson is going to be just like me. The other night I sent him to bed and five minutes later he asked for a glass of water. Trying to be a stern disciplinarian I said “not a chance, lights out.” About 5 minutes later I heard him call out, “Paw Paw, can you bring me a glass of water?” I said, “No, if you ask again I’ll have to spank you!” Again, after about five minutes, I heard him call out, “Paw Paw!” I said, “What?” He said, “When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a drink of water?
Dear Rescue Ranger, I wanted to tell you about a little “accident” that I had. I am just starting to branch out in my EMS career and have been working in a community paramedicine program here in a very rural part of Virginia. I went to visit an older woman that reported to her doctor that she had not been feeling well for the past couple of weeks. I went to see her and when I was done, I asked for a glass of water, so she steered me out to the well (there are still some things lacking here at rural Virginia). I leaned over a little too far, and fell into the well. Didn’t get hurt too bad, just some bumps and Official
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Dear Rescue Ranger, How is the EMT Class going? P E Dear Mr. Entsminger, Funny you should ask, I had a student that was not paying attention and I said, “Bubby, you know you can’t sleep in class.” Bubby said, “I know, but maybe if you spoke a little quieter I could.” We all laughed. He said I had been in the
VAVRS
EMS too long. I said, you know you have been in EMS too long when… • you answer questions with “Roger That” instead of “Yes” regardless of who is asking them. • every time you drive somewhere, you ask your travelling companion “You want to drive or attend?” • you and your partner have discussed dinner plans over a dead body. • you have come to the conclusion that you are sicker than 3/4 of the people you take to hospital. • you wash your hands before using the bathroom. • you wipe your feet on the way out of people’s homes. • you back into parking spaces on your days off. • you are watching TV and get annoyed and point out all the inconsistences of the TV medics. • you find random pairs of gloves in every pair of trousers you own. • you want to throw something at the TV when they shock asystole on some medical show. • you’ve blown up a glove and drawn a face on it in the hopes it will stop your pediatrics patient from screaming.
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PO Box 279 2535 Turkey Creek Road Oilville, VA 23129 ISSN 0279-6023
NON-PROFIT ORGAN.. U.S.POSTAGE PAID WOODSTOCK, VA PERMIT NO. 82
Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc.
Phone: 804-749-8191 Phone: 800-833-0602 Fax: 804-749-8910 E-mail: vavrs@vavrs.com
"Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends." John 15:13
HAVING AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR NEEDS AND GOALS IS THE WAY WE SERVE YOU The Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads is THE voice of EMS…. the advocate for our members, Virginia’s EMS agencies and providers. We link members and agencies for the purpose of sharing ideas, giving you a voice at the General Assembly, on state advisory boards, as well as on state and local committees. When our members have training issues or needs, they come to the VAVRS. When our members need assistance from leadership to budgets they come to the VAVRS. We help rescue squads throughout the Commonwealth thrive and succeed so they can provide prompt, effective patient care 24/7 in the communities they serve.
MAKE YOUR PLANS TO JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL VAVRS CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 20-24, 2016 IN VIRGINIA BEACH