VIRGINIA LIFELINE
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Deadline for the Upcoming Issues of the 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 if you need assistance in writing an article at gdalton@vavrs.com Deadline for future issues as follows: June 10, 2012 for July/August August 10, 2012 for September/October September 1, 2012 for Convention October 10, 2012 for November/December
For a complete list of the current courses being offered by the VAVRS go to www.vavrs.com
THE 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 (E-MAIL) gdalton@vavrs.com
Requests for advertising rates, material specifications and deadlines should be directed to the Editor.
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AVAVRS Officers
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AVAVRS Committee Chairs
President - Fern Puckett
Convention - Janis Slough
Vice President - Sharon Campbell
Convention Co-Chair - Vickie Arnold
Secretary - Dolores Hudson
Life Membership - Ruth Swicegood
Treasurer - Kitty Campbell
Nominating - Carolyn Brand
Chaplain - Clara Craig
Resolutions - Harry Householder
Historian - Heather S. Fox
Emergency Care - Ailease Short
Parliamentarian - Harry Householder
Membership - Sharon K. Campbell
Immediate Past President - Joan Smoot
Finance - Kitty Campbell
Midwestern VP - Sheila Gordon
Roll Call - Jean Garrett
Northeastern VP - Eddie Ann Orndoff
Roll Call Co-Chair - Valarie Becker
Southcentral VP - Patsy Wingfield
Recruitment & Retention - Marie Householder
Southeastern VP - Gary Frame
Fund Raising - Linda Berkstresser
Southwestern VP - Jean Garrett Western VP - Curtis Preston
From the AVAVRS Nominating Chair Submitted by Carolyn Brand AVAVRS Nominating Chair Just a reminder, all nominations and letters of recommendation, for an office in the AVAVRS are due by July 1. You can email or mail them to me. cbrand@woodfinoil.com or 8354 Rustic Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. V I R G I N I A
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From Waynesboro Auxiliary Submitted by Ce Ce McCormick, Waynesboro Auxiliary Historian Some news from Waynesboro we all were hoping you all were enjoying the spring like weather. We have not been doing to much right now. We attended the Western District Meeting in Clifton Forge it was a wonderful ride with all our friends. In March we prepared food for 40 rescuers while they were searching for a man reported missing at Humpback rock. Hiker and rescuers all doing well and were all found. Two of our members Sis and Charlotte are working on our memorial garden to plant new flowers. Danny McCormick Cleaned the Crews Ice Machine so that it stays in good condition. Buildings and Grounds Jill Stachowski and her husband Steve worked on a room by replacing the wood molding and putting in a new floor, and painting it all. We purchased chair slippers for 150 chairs in the multipurpose room to safe on the floors and putting new locks on some of the cabinets. We are planning a new fund raiser this month it will be a FISH FRY Dinner, and our other fund raiser is Avante Breakfast for the employees .The FISH FRY will be the same time of the Waynesboro Fly Fishing event the weekend of the April 21st. For all you Land-lovers we will also have Chicken. Still preparing monthly drills for the crew, and still spending Birthdays with each other (by going out to dinner) Have a wonderful spring, see you all at the meeting in Glasgow.
From AVAVRS Treasurer Submitted by Kitty Campbell AVAVRS Treasurer This s a reminder to make sure your auxiliary/support group has taken care of state and district dues. State Dues are $5.00 per person and are to be sent to the AVAVRS State Treasurer. Life Members of the AVAVRS are exempt from state dues. District dues vary depending which district you are in. They are to be sent to your district secretary/treasurer. Dues play an important part in the AVAVRS budget. Do your part and help the association meet its obligations. Dues play a major role at conventions. Dues must be paid at both the district and state level for auxiliaries/support groups to be able to vote at convention, present resolutions, have a member hold state or district office, and compete for awards at convention. Additional requirements for convention honors: Auxiliaries/Support Groups must have attended at least one district meeting between conventions and must have a convention-registered representative, also registered with the AVAVRS, present at all AVAVRS business meetings at convention. The representative must attend all meetings in their entirety. Please submit your state dues to Kitty Campbell; 308 Shenandoah St SE, Leesburg VA 20175 ASAP. V I R G I N I A
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National EMS Memorial Service Colorado Springs, CO—The National EMS Memorial Service today released the names of the 20 individuals from 13 states to be honored at the 2012 National EMS Memorial Service to be held Saturday, June 23 in Colorado Springs. The National EMS Memorial Service has, since 1992, been honoring America's EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty. The 20 individuals being honored this year join 581 others previously honored by the National EMS Memorial Service. Each year, at a service held in Colorado Springs, members of the honoree's families are presented with a medallion, symbolizing eternal memory; a U.S. Flag which has flown over the Nation's Capital, symbolizing service to the country; and a white rose, symbolizing their undying love. The 2012 National EMS Memorial Service will be conducted at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs. In addition to the presentations made during the Service, each honoree's name is engraved on a bronze oak leaf which is added to the "Tree of Life," the National EMS Memorial. Additional information on the National EMS Memorial Service is available from its web site at http://nemsms.org
National EMS Memorial Service 2011 Honorees Charolette 'Charlie' Adair, of Richfield Township Fire Department, Berkey, OH, who died in the line duty on October 28, 2011 of injuries sustained after being struck at the scene of a call.
Randall Joe 'Randy' Bever, of LifeNet-St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MO, who died in the line duty on August 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Scherese M. Bishop, of Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District, Beverly Hills, MO, who died in the line duty on March 11, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Charles Black, of Superior Air-Ground Ambulance, Highland, IN, who died in the line duty on August 10, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Carmen I. Burnette, of Putnam County EMS, Cookeville, TN, who died in the line duty on February 25, 2011 of complications from surgery for a line of duty injury.
Mark W. Camara, of Poultney Rescue Squad, Poultney, VT, who died in the line duty on October 7, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Daniel C. Dare, of Avon First Responders, Avon, IL, who died in the line duty on February 1, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
William G. 'Bill' Didier, of Trans North Aviation, Eagle River, WI, who died in the line duty on November 28, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Christopher Frakes, of LifeNet-St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MO, who died in the line duty on August 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident. V I R G I N I A
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A plaque was created listing the names of Virginia EMS providers that died in the line of duty and presented to the VAVRS BOGs on April 14, 2012 Pictured—left to right: VAVRS Junior Advisor Woody Conner, who worked on the project, VAVRS Chair National EMS Memorial Service Kevin Dillard and VAVRS President Edward “Bubby” Bish
James R. Freudenburg, of LifeNet-St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MO, who died in the line duty on August 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Richard 'Dick' Hanlon, of Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Madison, NJ, who died in the line duty on February 15, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Russell C. Hogue, of Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Service, Spencerport, NY, who died in the line duty on March 11, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Michael S. Kenwood, of Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, Princeton, NJ, who died in the line duty on August 28, 2011 of drowning during swift water rescue.
Jeffery Landgraf, of Kearny County EMS, Lakin, KS, who died in the line duty on April 18, 2011 of injuries sustained in an on-duty motor vehicle collision.
Gary Liszewski, of Broward County EMS, Fort Lauderdale, FL, who died in the line duty on January 22, 1987 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Bruce Mandel, of Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad, Maplewood, NJ, who died in the line duty on October 3, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Matthew Pellettere, of River Edge Volunteer Ambulance Service, River Edge, NJ, who died in the line duty on January 16, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Merlin Sayan, of Kalkaska EMS, Kalkaska, MI, who died in the line duty on February 13, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Alan L. Unger, of Inwood Township EMS, Cooks, MI, who died in the line duty on March 6, 2011 of an on-duty cardiac event.
Robert Wood, of Montrose Minute Men, Montrose, PA, who died in the line duty on February 24, 1985 of an on-duty cardiac event. V I R G I N I A
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Measuring Progress and Improving Preparedness in Disaster Management The 4th World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine’s (WADEM) Pan American Regional Conference is being held October 15-17, 2012 at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. The focus of this event is risk reduction, improving preparedness and assessing responses worldwide from prehospital care systems through post-event evaluations. This unique boutique conference will bring together individuals who are involved at the highest levels of disaster and emergency health. For example, WADEM works closely with the WHO and NATO, as well as Military Medical Committees. Delegates to the Congress are expected to include: Emergency Care Professionals involved in: Anesthesiology, emergency medicine, surgery, hands-on-experience in disaster areas, dentistry, psychosocial care and public health. Para-medical Professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, EMS workers and ambulance services. Governmental and NGO representatives in emergency services. Agencies and individuals involved in emergency and disaster care planning and management. Participation in the 4th Pan American Regional Conference will offer sponsors and exhibitors unprecedented access to new markets and contacts, while strengthening the ties and relationships that already exist. For more information on the conference and the Sponsorship and Exhibit Prospectus please visit the VAVRS website (www.vavrs.com/news.
Submitted by Michelle Wallace, Sponsorship and Exhibit Manager 4th WADEM Pan American Regional Conference— www.wadem.org/4thpan_american.html c/o International Conference Services Ltd. Email: i2012-Sales@icsevents.com Direct: (+1) 604-638-3864 Phone: (+) 604-681-2153 ext. 110 Fax: (+1) 604-681-1049 V I R G I N I A
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Executive Committee Meetings June 2, 2012 Teleconference 9:00 a.m. August 11, 2012 VA Beach Resort and Conference Center 9:00 a.m. September 27, 2012 VA Beach Resort and Conference Center 10:00 a.m. Upcoming Events June 9—17, 2012 Rescue College Blacksburg June 23, 2012 National EMS Memorial Service Colorado Springs, CO September 26—29, 2012 VAVRS Convention Virginia Beach
From the VAVRS Nominating Chair Submitted by R. Bruce Stratton VAVRS Nominating Chair Just a reminder, all letters of intent, resumes and requests for consideration, etc. relative to seeking nomination for State Office are due to the VAVRS Office by June 1, 2012
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Officers
Committee Chairs
President Edward B. “ Bubby” Bish Jr.
Nominating—R. Bruce Stratton Membership/Personnel—Rickey Hodge Life Membership—Ronnie Slough Bylaws—Bruce Edwards Hall of Fame—A. Page Entsminger Convention—Ford Wirt EMS Representative—Dreama Chandler EMS Representative—Wayne Myers, Jr. Rescue College Co-Chair—Rickey Hodge Rescue College Co-Chair—Wayne Myers EMS Advisory Board—Dreama Chandler EMS Advisory Board—Wayne Myers Grant—Elizabeth Enos JSW/FEW Scholarship Fund—Carolyn Brand National EMS Memorial Service—Kevin L. Dillard EMS Exchange Program—Jane LaVerne Recruitment and Retention—Fran Phillips Course Development—Doug Eberhardt Facility Manager—Lin Matthews Redistricting Study—Wanda B. Morehead Volunteer Management—J. C. Phillips Legislative—Dreama Chandler
Vice President Rickey Hodge Secretary Connie Moore Treasurer Steven Dove Training Officer Scott Davis Chaplain/Editor Gary Dalton Historian Mike Smoot Immediate Past President Steve Grayson Legal Advisor S. Craig Lane Medical Advisor
James R. Dudley, MD, MBA
Parliamentarian Lobbyist
J. C. Phillips
Ed Rhodes
Training Coordinator Kathy Eubank Administrative Secretary
Shirley Bagby
District 1 V. P. Scott Masincup District 2 V. P. Carolyn White District 3 V. P. Thomas Gwaltney District 4 V. P. Karen Wagner District 5 V. P. James Fontaine District 6 V. P. June Ann Wilkes District 7 V. P. Thomas E. Harris “Ted” District 8 V. P. Teresa F. Whitlock District 9 V. P. Claude Graybeal District 10 V. P. Ronald Ridgley
Diamond Reflections
"Diamond Reflections" a book regarding the first 75 years of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads is now available from the VAVRS Office by calling the VAVRS Office at 800-833-0602 - The more than 250 page hardback book has chapters about our history, our Past Presidents, Life Members, Hall of Fame members, VAVRS/AVAVRS/VAJVRS officers, State Conventions, Rescue College, and much more. For only $30.00 plus $5.00 shipping, you can own your own copy of this beautiful documentation of 75 years of the VAVRS. V I R G I N I A
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The 60 Second Parliamentarian Tip Submitted by J. C. Phillips, VAVRS Parliamentarian There you are, sitting there at the beginning of a meeting and someone shouts, "Call of the House." You and a lot of other members at that meeting might wonder, what is this "Call of the House" thing? The reason you may not know what this means is because it is not applicable in a meeting of a volunteer society or a volunteer organization, such as volunteer rescue squads, volunteer fire departments, garden clubs, car clubs, etc. So what does this "Call for the House" mean? In Robert's Rules of Order it states, "In legislative bodies or other assemblies that have the legal power to compel the attendance of their members, a procedure that can be used to obtain a quorum, if necessary, is the motion for a Call of the House. This is a motion that unexcused absent members be brought to the meeting under arrest." Yes, you read it right, "under arrest." I don't ever remember reading or hearing about any member of a legislative body being arrested for not attending a meeting. It goes on to say that the clerk calls the roll of the members and "the sergeant-at-arms, chief of police, or other arresting officer is ordered to take into custody absentees who have not been excused from attendance and bring them before the house." In the ordinary society meetings that we deal with, all you have to do is call for a "Point of Order" and ask if a quorum is present and this doesn't even require a vote. All you are doing is asking a question. I certainly do not want to be a member of an organization that will arrest you if you don't attend a meeting. If you want more details about this "Call of the House", it is on pages 350 and 351 in Robert's Rules of Order, 11th edition. Now if you do hear someone shout "Call of the House" you may just be in the wrong meeting.
News from District Four Happiness is- - - -Winning the 50-50 At the March 11, 2012 District 4 Meeting held at the Woodstock VRS building VAVRS Chaplain Gary Dalton won the AVAVRS Northwestern District 5050 drawing and it is said he spent the money on Mac & Cheese. Oh yes, there was a meeting also‌.five of the district squads met and discussed VAVRS and District 4 business. We are happy to report that our Immediate Past District V.P. John Hutton has recovered from recent back surgery and things went so well he was able to attend the Spring BOG Meeting in Richmond on April 14th. The next district meeting will be on July 8th at Greater Manassas VRS which will be held in conjunction with the District 4 EVOC Instructor Update. V I R G I N I A
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R&R Auxiliary Recruitment and Committee Retention Report Auxiliary Recruitment and Retention is particularly difficult. Most Rescue Squads don't have an Auxiliary and those that do, on many occasions don't work with their squads cohesively. Therefore it's not a pleasant situation for either squad or Auxiliary. Over the years this has contributed to failures of Auxiliaries. There must be a conscientious effort on behalf of the Squad and Auxiliary to reach a mutual goal - the Rescue Squad and the Community they serve. Now more positive - Working together for one goal be it Auxiliary, Squad or both will accomplish much. During recruitment if the Auxiliary is upbeat and happy doing their job/project together there is a better chance of getting new members or people that are interested in helping in some area from bake sales, yard sales or any project your Auxiliary participates in. If the members of the Auxiliary are happy doing their projects the community will see a successful group doing community work and will be more likely to join or contribute monetarily in your effort to raise funds. This will require good communication skills by the officers and the members in order to keep the group growing. Retention is always difficult in any organization. There must be rewards for the members, not monetarily but a reward to the member in self accomplishment and contributing to the community or sometimes a social outlet. Auxiliaries can plan activities that require participation and then reward themselves by reimbursing for expenses to training or a group activity. Rescue College is a great way to help with retention - helping members with education in small groups such as Rescue College is a good opportunity for members to gain confidence and hopefully will setup and become officers. With new Officers you are ensuring continued growth of your Auxiliary and that ultimately benefits the squads they support. Convention is another way to retain members. After a year of hard work and the completion of projects Convention is a good opportunity for Auxiliaries to go as a group and learn what other Auxiliaries all over Virginia are doing to support their squads. It's an opportunity for another incentive to keep your members working hard on projects that will eventually support your Rescue Squad. The key here seems to be COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION and INCENTIVES. Those three words can go a long way with groups that are supportive of their Officers and Officers that are supportive of their Auxiliary members and the Rescue Squads they support. By having happy members that are educated and informed, Officers have little to do - just move out of the way and let the members begin. V I R G I N I A
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F/A18 Jet Fighter Crash April 6, 2012 Jet Fighter Crashes into Senior Citizen Complex in Virginia Beach On Friday April 6th just shortly after noontime, a U. S. Navy F/A18 D jetfighter with 2 pilots on board assigned to a training division at Naval Air Station Oceana crashed just moments after take off. The fighter plunged into the Mayfair Mews Senior Citizen Apartment Complex located on North Birdneck Road about a mile and a half from the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad oceanfront headquarters. VBFD Engine 11 and Ladder 11 first arriving fire units. The first alarm assignment included 4 manned ambulances from the VBVRS Stations 8 & 14. The first unit on the scene was an ambulance from the VBVRS Oceanfront Station followed quickly by a VBFD Battalion Chief 1 along with Ladder 11 and Engine 11 from Fire Station 11 located next door to the VBVRS Station 14.
An immediate size up by Battalion 1 resulted in second/third alarms and finally a fourth alarm. With additional fire units from all over the city and the United States Navy responding, the engines and ladders on the scene began a defensive action to prevent the wind driven all-consuming fuel fire and the burning buildings from spreading. Before the day was over, more than 40 apartment units would be destroyed and the remainder of the complex made temporarily un-inhabitable. Virginia Beach EMS career and volunteer supervisors quickly arrived on the scene and began planning for a mass casualty event with an expectation, that in addition to dozens of ambulances being needed, that several temporary morgues would be required. The first person treated on the scene was a building resident and retired volunteer with the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. Pat Kavanaugh after assisting the backseat pilot to safety made his way out to Birdneck Road where he was found by first on scene EMS volunteers slumped over the hood of a police car complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. Pat has a history of several heart attacks and open hear surgery. Pat was quickly moved to a waiting ambulance for treatment. Virginia Beach EMS personnel quickly and efficiently established an EMS division including staging, medical, triage, and transport sectors. Later into the operation a rehab sector would be established. VBFD Engine 8 second arriving ladder truck V I R G I N I A
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Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital was placed on alert and recalled nurses-doctors and began clearing up operating rooms. Several additional Sentara Hospitals in the area were placed on standby to possibly receive patients. Virginia Beach Police and Sheriff’s Officers arrived on the scene by the dozens and quickly went from apartment building to apartment building kicking in doors checking for possible bedbound invalids and elderly occupants.
VB EMS Medical Sector
Fortunately local residents and people driving on Birdneck Road had pitched in and already begun a search for residents.
One group of local people assisted the first in engine by running several sections of five-inch large diameter hose from Engine 11 at the fire scene back down Fleming Drive to North Birdneck Road to a hydrant. Citizens located the two pilots stilled attached to their parachute rigging. EMS quickly transported both pilots to Sentara Beach Trauma Center. As the afternoon progressed and the fire was stopped in its tracks it became apparent that few people were injured. A total of seven patients including the two pilots were transported to the hospital. Un-believability as it may sound; we made it through this event with no fatalities. According to a news report from Sentara Healthcare, during the 24 hours following the crash an additional 14 people reported to the emergency room at Sentara Beach for breathing problems. I have prepared this short report just a few days after the crash to make the lifeline deadline. A much more detailed report will be generated at a later time. We are very proud of the response from the ten Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach. As the additional alarms were announced, more EMS units were pulled from their duty assignments to the scene.
Primary staging area for ambulances awaiting patients to be transported.
Ten volunteer manned ambulances were assigned and responded directly to the scene along with one heavy volunteer squad, one volunteer staffed Mass Casualty Truck, multiple support vehicles, numerous volunteer supervisors and nearly every career supervisor including, the Chief of EMS Bruce Edwards and our Medical Director/ER Physician and Paramedic, Doctor Stuart Martin. V I R G I N I A
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During this event, volunteers staffed an additional 20+ ambulances through out the city and continued to provide citywide coverage responding to numerous calls for assistance, including one motor vehicle accident with an entrapment, a water rescue call, a dog attack with five patients.
VB EMS Special Operations MCI Truck #2 arrives and prepares to unload supplies.
Over 150 volunteers were on duty, either responding to the jet crash or went to the closest EMS station to staff ambulances and support vehicles.
In addition to the volunteer rescue squads assigned to the crash site the Navy Regional FireEMS Department dispatched an ambulance from Dam Neck along with an engine and foam truck from Oceana Air Station. More commonly know in our local EMS and Fire community as Station 31. At times we had volunteers staged at EMS Stations with no additional vehicles to staff. If needed, we would have found transportation to get them to the jet crash. During the overhaul phase, EMS volunteers staffed rehab sectors and a local Farm Fresh and 7-11 stores provided free food and beverage. Pat Kavanaugh was held overnight at Sentara Beach Hospital for observation and released the next day. Pat is staying with his sister in the Sandbridge area of the city. Most of the destruction and serious damage was confined to the senior citizen side of the complex. Many people from various age groups and backgrounds live in apartments or town houses surrounding the senior citizen complex and some of those apartments were damages. One of our local volunteers, EMT Melanie Dunn with the Courthouse Rescue Squad lives in the complex and was not at home at the time. We are glad that Melanie still has an apartment to come home to, though I understand that her fence and exterior of her complex suffered some damage including an ejection seat sitting in her parking spot. Over the weekend and through the first of the week the volunteer squads from around the city provided 24 hour assigned coverage to the crash site during the recovery phase. I recorded and uploaded 5 video’s which you can observe on the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation YouTube site at: http://www.youtube.com/user/VBRSFOUNDATION?ob=0&feature=results_main I shot over 130 photos from 12:15pm to around 3pm on Friday April 6th. At the time of preparing this report I am still working on prepping the best to be loaded up onto the rescue squads Flickr account. I have included several photos with this article. A full accounting of the event will be prepared by Virginia Beach EMS for several Fire-EMS publications including JEMS. A quick follow up story regarding our citywide volunteer operations. On Monday night April 9th , Norfolk Fire and Rescue responded to a multi-alarm fire in a high rise business building in the downtown area of Norfolk. V I R G I N I A
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Left Above—Triage Area outside the hot zone and up wind of the fire. Right Above—Backseat pilot located by second arriving ambulance crew, back boarded and with assistance from first arriving volunteer rescue squad duty swat medic is moved from the hot zone to a waiting ambulance for transport to Sentara Beach Trauma Center. Below—VA Beach Mayor Will Sessoms thanks members of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads staffing a rehab sector.
In addition to requesting back fill fire units from Virginia Beach, a request was made for mutual aid to back fill EMS in several of the Norfolk Fire Stations. The Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach responded with six volunteer staffed ambulances to the Norfolk Stations while continuing to staff our own stations in Virginia Beach. We are pretty proud of our volunteer based EMS system in Virginia Beach and the service we provide to the citizens of the Tidewater Area.
Submitted by Bobby Hill, Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Historian
CAMPBELL COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD OFFERS THE FOLLOWING UNIT FOR SALE 1999 FORD XLT F-350 NATIONAL TYPE I WALK-THRU MOD WITH DROP CHAINS 7.3L DIESEL, 109,000 MILES
CALL JACK MORGAN 434-401-1835 OR RICHARD PORTER 434-942-5700 V I R G I N I A
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“There’s An App For That” Lt. Brian F. Talty CC-EMT-P; Assistant Operations Supervisor Richmond Ambulance Authority ~Just like the commercials say, ―There’s an App for that‖. Nearly everything medical out there has an app that is compatible across almost Smartphone platforms. I often see people showing each other their apps or comparing who has what so I thought it would be a good idea to display the list of medical apps I have on my phone. I have the greatest phone in the world, aka iPhone but I’m sure the apps are on the other markets as well. ~Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards – Lists every freaking thing of everything in the body. Very informative so you can sound smart on your reports by saying ―The patient was struck along the left coronal suture‖ instead of ―Dude got rocked with a 40 on the head.‖. Also able to quiz yourself by drop pins that you touch to reveal what it is. ~Epocrates – Absolutely wonderful app for finding out what drugs are for and what they do. Also has an awesome program that you can enter in specific information about an unknown pill you find by a patient and it will narrow it down so you can figure it exactly what the pill is and what the dose is. ~ECG Apps – I have 2 of them but to be honest I rarely use them so I can’t really compare. Plus, there are hundreds of them out there so it is up to you to find what the one that fits your needs the best. ~IV Meds – This one is pretty basic and to be honest I’m not the biggest fan of it but there are many more out there that are fantastic. So if you are mathematically challenged check them out. ~MedRef – Complete list of medical terminology including breaking down words to prefixes, suffixes and combining forms. Also has a medical abbreviations section. ~Mediquations – If you need help determining Basal Energy Expenditure this app has the formula to assist you. Not what you are looking for? It has every formula you will ever need in your career, plus hundreds more you have no idea what they are. ~Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary – If you don’t already have one, you need to have a medical dictionary, enough said. ~RulerPlus – The only reason I have this one is because I am horrible at estimating wound size for reporting purpose. I pull this up and hold it next to the wound for a more accurate estimation of wound size. ~EMSG – By far one of my favorite apps. It is medical Spanish and has thousands of preloaded phrases separated by different parts of the patient interview and different types of patients. Most of the questions can be answered yes/no and the great thing is that I go down the list of questions by touching the question and the app speaks in Spanish to the person and they simply answer yes or no. For those of you like me that speak ―Amurrican‖ and not English and refuse to learn Spanish, this one helps out. ~The InforMed pocket guides that everybody is familiar with are all online. The best part is that instead of having to buy a new one for $20-30 every year when they are updated, all you have to do is update the app for free. V I R G I N I A
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~iResQ – Extremely well put together critical care app that has a wealth of information that is not only critical care specific but also has implications in every day EMS. Check it out, very much worth the money for the amount of resources packed into this one. ~PPP – This one is called Paramedic Protocol Provider, instead of carrying around your protocols in a huge binder and ripping up pages, why not have it on your phone. This app has protocols uploaded from various agencies from around the country. Don’t see yours? Email the owner of the app and he will add your agency to the app for free, just make sure to get permission from the upper ups first. ~CCP Review – For the aspiring CCT or FPC this one is fantastic. Has loads of review that is specific to the tests you will be taking, plus it has ―quiz me‖ sections and also has two 125 question practice tests. ~So that’s what I have on my phone, next time your bored check out the medical sections in the App Store, you will be surprised how many apps you will find that you may use everyday at work. ~An education is expensive but knowledge is free, please feel free to distribute this to whoever you like. ~The person that knows HOW will always have a job, the person that knows WHY will always be their boss. ~Remember to always act in your patient’s best interest, always use sound clinical judgment and always follow your protocols. *This is supplemental educational material that is researched and distributed by Brian Talty. I attempt to ensure accuracy but there may be some instances of incorrect facts or material or grammatical errors that mislead the reader. These are written from experience, EMS books in my library and research done on the internet. These are meant to bring out things that you have forgotten in the back of your brain and to encourage critical thinking. The base of the subject is given here but the core must be researched on your own and application is pursuant to your agency protocol. These in no way replace your protocols and should never jeopardize patient care. Please remember that I try to ensure 100% accuracy but I am human and mistakes may be sent out. If there is something that does not look right, question it or research it on your own to eliminate confusion. I may be reached at 804-874-8724 or by email, btalty@raaems.org. * V I R G I N I A
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In Honor Of Our Departed Members These sixteen providers and support personnel are no longer with us and are remembered for their service and dedication to our communities and to the delivery of quality patient care in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The 2012 VAVRS Memorial Service will memorialize these VAVRS members whose death occurred between September 1, 2011 and September 1st, 2012. If your agency has additional members that should be recognized please submit the member’s information and photo along with a scan of your agency patch to the VAVRS Chaplain Gary Dalton by mail to P O Box 522, Woodstock, VA or by email to gdalton@vavrs.com. For assistance with any issues you have you can also call 540-481-0125.
VAVRS Chaplain Submitted by Gary Dalton, VAVRS Chaplain A well known proverb describes a common problem: ―You can fool some
of the people some of the time and you can fool all of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time! ― If you have
John S. Bell - Westvaco RS John Gose Bogg - Bristol LSC John H. Brandt - Lake of the Woods VRS James P. Catron Jr. - Saltville RS Rawleigh G. Clary - Brunswick VRS Tracy D. Crabtree - Washington Co LSC Clarence Deaner - Campbell Co VRS William Dickson - White Oak VRS William G. ―Sonny‖ Frank - Colonial Beach VRS Auxiliary Herbert Leroy Gardner - Stafford VRS Mary Anna C. Greene - Manchester VRS Elworth Johnson - Franklin Co RS Mary Lou Lail - Colonial Beach VRS Auxiliary David V. Lawless - Fieldale-Collinsville VRS William G. ―Bill‖ Laws - Davis Corner VFD & RS Carolyn H. Layne - Holly Grove VRS Carol Jean ―Jeannie‖ Lindsay - Westvaco RS Clyde E. May Sr. - Prince George EC Alex R. O’Bryhim - Fredericksburg VRS James V. Pelter - Buena Vista RS Jameson G. ―Jamie‖ Powell - Henrico VRS Thomas ―Kyle‖ Southern - Waynesboro FAC Opal Long Taylor - Clifton Forge RS Charlsie Thompson - Glade Spring LS
Edwitt Witt - Bent Mountain FAC & RS integrity then this problem just doesn't exist. Truth is Integrity and Bobbie Lee Wood - Westvaco RS has power, so when you tell the truth, you increase your personal power along with your integrity. One untruth leads to another and an untruth, once told, then leads to a thousand others to back it up. Eventually you can become so lost in a web of lies that you can't even remember what is true and what is not. Do some good this week and start by always telling the truth...it will set you free! V I R G I N I A
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RULES FOR COMPETING AT VAVRS STATE COMPETITION The agency must be a member of the State Association and have their Captain or President verify membership. (1) The agency must be a member of the State Association and have their Captain or President verify membership.
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Officers President Christina Stanley Vice President Cora Fearnow Secretary/Treasurer April Harris Chaplain Dylan Coalson Historian Stephen Martone District 2 V. P. Jennifer Winston
District 3 V. P. Cora Fearnow (2) All team members will be REQUIRED to show District 9 V. P. Christina Stanley the following: Advisor, Chair Katherine Eubank A. Convention identification badge. B. Picture identification. Example: driver's Advisor Woody T. Connor license or an identification badge with picture, name, Advisor Micky Grodski etc. Advisor Alfred Smith C. Current card in the contest in which they are Advisor Kim Craig competing. Advisor Brandon Example: Vehicle Extrication - each member would need a current Vehicle Extrication card. This rule does not apply to the AVAVRS teams competing in the EMT contest. One VAJVRS member must possess an EMT card for their team to be able to compete in the EMT contest. (3) Teams which are competing MUST have squad representative sign in at all BOG meetings. (4) An individual can only compete one time in each event. (5) Any team member who uses abusive language towards a judge will cause the whole team to be disqualified. (6) If it is determined that an individual gave information to a team which will help that team's competition, the team receiving the information will be disqualified as well as the individual who gave out the information. (7) There should be separate categories and trophies awarded for any out-of-state teams in EMT only. Must show current certification. (8) Score sheets will be reviewed by team Captain on what was missed following completion of the problem. No numeric values on score sheets at this time.
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District Ten News Submitted by Sara Hunt, Senior Public Relations Manager
VCU Medical Center Recognizes Five “Shining Knights” in Spotsylvania Region Spotsylvania, Va. – In an emergency, everyone needs a shining knight to come to the rescue. Fortunately for Jonathan Colson, a youth who was struck by lightning on the baseball field at Lee Hill Park in 2009, he had five of them! Five members of local rescue organizations were recognized as Shining Knights at the VCU Medical Center Trauma Department’s fourth annual Shining Knight Gala on March 24, 2012. The honorees, who played a significant role in the rescue and transport of young Colson, include: Eric Lasky, Rescue Chief of Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue. Lasky, a nationally registered paramedic, served as the primary caregiver during care and transport when dispatchers called for advanced life support. Tom Vickers, Assistant Rescue Chief of Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad, and his wife, Sgt. Elizabeth Vickers. Tom Vickers drove Colson from the baseball field to Mary Washington Hospital, while Elizabeth Vickers was in the back of the rescue vehicle with Lasky assisting to stabilize Colson, who was in full cardiac arrest for about 30 minutes. Susan Dietrich and Barbara Miller, members of LifeCare Medical Transports in Spotsylvania. They transported Colson from Mary Washington Hospital to the Trauma Center at VCU Medical Center. Following his treatment at VCU Medical Center, Colson was transferred to the Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Charlottesville, Va., where he had to re-learn many basic skills as he regained strength. Colson is now back at home and playing sports again, much to the relief of his five Shining Knights. ―When faced with life-or-death emergencies like Jonathan’s situation, first responders are trained to stay calm and call on all of our collective experience to keep the patient stable,‖ said Lasky. ―This case was a true team effort that encompassed multiple rescue entities in Central Virginia. We’re proud to have played a role in caring for Jonathan and helping him on the road to recovery.‖ ―The Shining Knight Gala celebrates the trauma systems that operate throughout the state,‖ said Nancy Malhotra, Trauma Program Director at the VCU Medical Center. ―Each year, we highlight a patient that, against all odds, survived a traumatic event and comes back to tell the story. We were pleased to recognize the three provider organizations from Spotsylvania County who cared for Jonathan Colson from pre-hospital through rehabilitation. They are truly deserving of being named as Shining Knights.‖
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From the Sperryville Volunteer Rescue Squad Submitted by Donald Gore and taken from a newspaper article in the Rappahannock News by Barbara Adolfi The Sperryville Volunteer Rescue Squad has grown! We wanted the community to see the addition that has been built in anticipation of the arrival of the new ambulance, so we decided to take a photo for you of the rescue squad family at the same time. This diverse group of women and men, young and old, provides services for the largest service area in the county. Of course, we do this with the support and cooperation of all the other volunteer fire and rescue companies in the county. As we rejoice in the increase in the number of volunteers over the last few years, please remember that a small number of people run the majority of the calls for service and that we constantly need to train new EMT,s medics and ambulance drivers to support that small group so they do not burn out. At the last member meeting, the top four runners for 2011 were recognized for their service: Harold Beebout ran 213 calls, Judy Reidinger, 152; Brian Ross, 140; and George Swett, 120. These folks and the rest of the squad, are the quiet heroes in our community. At the Annual Rappahannock County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association Awards Banquet, held on February 11, 2012, Sperryville VRS members Harold Beebout was honored as the 2011 EMS Provider of the Year and Donald Gore was honored as 2011 Supporting Member of the Year. V I R G I N I A
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In Loving Memory of William G. “Bill” Laws It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely and unexpected death of William G. [Bill] Laws, 65 on Wednesday March 28, 2012 in Sentara Leigh Hospital. Bill served 22 years in the United States Navy including a tour in Vietnam operating on swift boats in the Mekong Delta. Bill retired as a Chief Yeoman in 1986. His next career was as a training specialist with Commander Submarine Forces in Norfolk, VA where he was a civilian employee for 22 years. Bill’s third and final career and that for which we in VAVRS knew our Bill and the one career that many of us feel that Bill held dearest to his heart, was with the Davis Corner Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Virginia Beach. Bill served for seven years as volunteer chief at Fire-Rescue Station 2 and for five years as president of the department. He was recently recognized for his 30 years of public safety service to the Virginia Beach community. Bill also served, as President of the Virginia Beach Council of Volunteer Rescue Squads, held numerous positions with the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads including District 2 President, was the current President of the Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad Foundation, and continued to actively running as an EMT. When his children were younger Bill was an Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America. Left to cherish memories of Bill, survivors include his wife of nearly 48 years, Kay; three sons, Bill (René) of Stafford, Va., Mike of Virginia Beach, and David (Teresa) of Hawaii; 10 grandchildren; two sisters; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of fire and EMS personnel across the state. A memorial service with military, fire department and EMS honors was held on Monday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at the Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, 4392 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach.
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On April 2nd Bill pulled one last duty, riding the ambulance in Unit 224, leading a procession of numerous EMS vehicles from across the Commonwealth of Virginia to Rescue Station 2. As many of you know, on April 6th the Virginia Beach Emergency Response System responded to a crash of a military jet into senior citizen complex just 1-½ miles from the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad oceanfront station. This was the type of call that Bill trained for and often staffed one of the cities two MCI trucks positioned at Rescue Station 2. No doubt in my mind, that the Bill Law’s we all knew and loved had established an EMS Command Post in Heaven and was watching over all of us that day. Memorial donations may be made to the Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad Foundation, P.O. Box 61733, Virginia Beach, VA 23466.
Submitted by Bobby Hill—City of Virginia Beach Department of EMS
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The Legislative Attic
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The “Real� Attic
Submitted by Ed Rhodes "Budget, budget! Who's got the budget?" Moreover, that has been the call since March 10th. As I begin writing this article for the upcoming issue of Lifeline, the conference committee of legislators has completed a budget. It is the day before Easter Sunday. The legislature will not meet until around April 17th to approve or disapprove a budget for the coming two years. Your officers will hopefully find out the week of Spring BOG what effects this budget will have on the VAVRS and the training programs. The regular session of the General Assembly finished on time, March 10th, at approximately 10:00 pm. They adjourned and went directly into a Special Session in order to complete the budget, appoint judges, and take care of resolutions. As a number of you heard at the Spring BOG meeting, VAVRS had submitted some amendments to the governor's budget, with two of them surviving the scrutiny of the money committees. The first one was restoring $4.25 for Life funds to OEMS rather than using those training funds to supplant general fund dollars for the poison control centers. This has survived in the Senate. The second amendment was what is called a "language" amendment that states a specific policy. This one keeps the twenty-five cent addition to $4.25 for Life to be used expressly for certification and recertification and not for funding items such as poison control centers. This survived the House money committee. A third amendment that VAVRS joined with VAGEMSA to increase the ground transportation fee for Medicaid transports has also endured. We were asking for a 50% increase, but, if it stays in the budget, it will only be 5%. Again, we will not know the outcome until after Spring BOG. Some other bills of interest to you are as follows: HB 490 - staggers the terms for new appointees and re-appointees to the EMS Advisory Board. This will realign the terms so that there will not be similar situation to 2011 when 16 people had to be appointed or reappointed to the board at one time. Some individuals will get a 2-year term, others a 3year term and finally some a 4 year term as terms come due. This bill passed and has been signed by the Governor. HB 533 / SB 312 - substantive review of the $4.25 funding. This bill would have required any changes to $4.25 for Life funding to be approved by the health committees in each house. The house bill was left in committee; the senate bill was carried over and gives us an opportunity to watch how these funds are spent. HB 685 - was a bill that removed the requirement of the two flashing lights on personal vehicles. This bill was left in the Transportation Committee. HB 740 / SB 125 - Line of Duty Act bills. These bills were written to bring the Code of Virginia into compliance with the Budget Bill. We were able to get a year's extension on the implementation of the Senate version, but both bills were left in House Appropriations. No action taken. SB 358 / HB 583 / HB 891 - all were mobile infrared transmitter bills. Each bill was different, from (Continued on page 28)
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using the transmitter on non-emergency calls within a certain locality, to requiring private ambulance services to receive permission from the locality to use them to changing the penalty for non-emergency vehicles using the transmitter to a Class 4 misdemeanor. None of these passed, SB 358 was carried over to 2013. HB 573 - is a bill that requires the state flag to be flown at halfmast to honor fallen Virginia law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS providers for one day. This bill passed and has been signed by the Governor. As I said at the beginning of this article, this was the "long" session or 60-day session. However, it continues even after the end of 60 days. Now begins the meetings of the boards, commissions (including the reform commission), and legislative committees for the remainder of this year. I will again be traveling to some of the district meetings this year to bring you up to date and to answer your questions, but I also want to hear your concerns and suggestions. One of the reminders that I impress upon the Legislative Committee is "what you think is a good thought for a bill, may be great for your
area, but what effect will it have statewide".
In closing, my thanks to the officers of the VAVRS for their support during the session and to your assistance as members for what we got accomplished this year. You just do not realize how much influence 13,000-plus of you have with 140 legislators. See you at your district meetings and if not, at convention in Virginia Beach. UPDATE TO REPORT GIVEN
AT
SPRING BOG
AND THE
REPORT ABOVE
On Wednesday, April 18th, the Senate of Virginia vote 21-19 to approve the Joint Conference Report to the 2012-14 Biennium Budget Bill. Senator Charles Colgan of Manassas voted with the Senate Republicans to pass the bill. The "caboose" bill or the budget bill to fund the state through June 30 remains in conference. The biennium budget bill contained amendments that directly affect EMS. These are: Restoring $1 million to $4.25 for Life funds rather than using it to fund the Poison Control Centers. Rather, two centers will be funded with $500,000.00 from the VDH budget for one year and the Commissioner has to assess the level of funding needed operate two centers. (There are three that serve Virginia, but one is in Washington, D.C.) A "language" amendment requires that EMS providers will be able to use these funds from the $0.25 of the $4.25 for Life for the initial payment of the initial basic level EMT testing from NREMT. The requested increase in ground transportation for Medicaid patients had been requested for a 50% increase. We were only able to get a 5% increase and air transports was added. What you see here are successes for the EMS community and the respect that the legislators have for the providers. The Governor has the budget bill and is expected to sign it and pass down some amendments. V I R G I N I A
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District Eight News Submitted by Lisa Chandler, Secretary-Lower King & Queen Fire-EMS After hosting the quarterly business meeting for District 8 of the Virginia Association of Virginia Rescue Squads on February 18, 2012 Lower King & Queen Fire – EMS served cake and ice to help celebrate our first Anniversary of running EMS. On February 17, we officially started running EMS calls, with the first call occurring on February 18, 2011. Since this date we have responded to over 200 calls.
Submitted by Teresa F. Whitlock, District 8 Vice President Tappahannock Volunteer Rescue Squad Essex County, Virginia One year ago, the idea of a ―Super Training Weekend‖ was proposed over dinner in an Essex County restaurant between Tappahannock Rescue Squad Captain, Blake Byrd and Tappahannock-Essex Vol. Fire Department Deputy Chief, Corey Beazley and was sketched out on man’s most handy device…a napkin. Twelve months later to the day, the two agencies hosted in conjunction with VAVRS District 8, the largest training event ever to be held in Essex County to date. With today’s economy, training members is a daunting task for any agency, and in some cases members only get the absolute essentials. To broaden this horizon, the goal of the event was to provide as many training programs as possible at little or no cost to the members/agencies. A total of six programs were offered over the two day period which included: 16 hours of CE’s, EVOC, Intro. V I R G I N I A
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to Tech Rescue, L.P. Gas Emergencies, MCI Module I & II, and Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations. In total, 109 participants from five VAVRS Districts attended the event. On Saturday morning, all participants gathered together for a short welcoming ceremony and were introduced to the instructors for each program for the weekend. With the conclusion of the gathering, students dispersed to their respected program and the training for the
weekend began. During the morning hours each program held their lecture portions in classrooms at Essex High School. The 16 hours of CE credit was one of the major programs on Saturday, with guest lecturers from local emergency departments, air ambulance services, etc. Life Evac impressed the crowd with a pig heart and lungs for demonstration to the audience. After lunch, the Vehicle Rescue program took to the field where methods of patient extrication began to be illustrated to students via hands-on methodology. Students gathered valuable knowledge of how to stabilize and remove patients from vehicles on their wheels, side, and roof. Day 2 began with the practical evolutions of all programs taking place at the former TappahannockEssex Airport and immediate surrounding area. The EVOC program started the day with all students familiarizing themselves with the operations of an ambulance (Class II vehicle). Many attending the program were from local fire departments and advanced to the fire truck operations (Class III vehicle), after lunch. At this time it became apparent to those advancing from Class II to Class III vehicles, that there were noticeable differences in the operations of the vehicles. It was a full day of putting both classroom material and operational material together, but a very successful one. Sunday morning began with the L.P. Gas Emergencies class taking part in practical evolutions. During this time, (Continued on page 32)
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students exercised methods pertaining to the containment and extinguishment of Liquid Petroleum tanks that ignite. Instructors controlled the amount of fire present at all times using controls attached to the training tank, which added a controlled factor to the class. Although controlled, at no time did the students know how large the fire would grow in size or how hot the fire would become. This added to the lifelike situation of an actual L.P. gas emergency that every fire department has the potential of responding to. During the weekend, Introduction to Tech Rescue, Module I was offered which was the eight hour classroom portion of the VDFP Technical Rescue Modules. On March 24-25, 2012, Introduction to Tech Rescue, Module II was offered in Essex. Twenty-one students attended the program and learned the principles of ropes, knots, rigging, picket systems, etc. The principles taught in this program can be utilized for a multitude of rescue scenarios including vehicle extrication, search and rescue, and rope rescue operations. The local granary was utilized for the program as this would be one area of use for the skills taught due to the elevated and underground structures that are present throughout the facility. The ―realistic‖ response was imitated during this program putting into perspective the importance of this training. Reflecting back on the event, it was certainly a long way from an idea on a napkin discussed between two on-duty EMS providers. 109 individuals from across the state attained valuable knowledge that will be utilized in far reaching corners of the Commonwealth. Tappahannock Vol. Rescue Squad, Tappahannock-Essex Vol. Fire Department, and VAVRS District 8 would like to thank the following individuals/entities, as without their participation, the event would have not been possible: Essex County, James Dudley, MD, Troy Jackson, NREMT-P, Jo Richmond, NREMT-P, Ronnie Thomas, NREMTP, Martha Hall, Life Evac, Logo Advantage, Northern Neck Salvage, Fleetwood Auto Parts, Parker Towing, Town of Tappahannock, Teresa Whitlock, VAVRS District 8 VP, Revere Gas, VAVRS, VDFP, and VAOEMS. The TVRS, TEVFD, and District 8 ―March Madness‖ will be held on March 16 & 17, 2013. We urge all of those in attendance for this year’s event to return and all those who could not attend in 2012, to come out next year. Look for a proposed course offering soon on our website at www.tapprescue.org! Photos On Next Page—Clockwise From Top: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Students complete a roof flap cut to free an entrapped victim. Jerry Whitlock observes an EVOC candidate complete the serpentine course. Students learn the principles of a haul system in Tech Rescue Module II. The sight seen from the L.P. Gas Emergencies class on Sunday morning.
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More District Eight News Submitted by Lisa Chandler, Secretary-Lower King & Queen Fire-EMS After hosting the quarterly business meeting for District 8 of the Virginia Association of Virginia Rescue Squads on February 18, 2012 Lower King & Queen Fire – EMS served cake and ice to help celebrate our first Anniversary of running EMS. On February 17, we officially started running EMS calls, with the first call occurring on February 18, 2011. Since this date we have responded to over 200 calls.
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Here are your humorous captions to this photo of Matt Tatum: Submitted by Brenda Ferguson, Fork Mountain RS ―OK-I have the gift, let me go through my contacts and find a date.‖ Submitted by A.L. & G.A., Fork Mountain RS: Matt texting Mom, ―Don't worry Mom, I'm fine, been shopping, have an angel watching over my shoulder.‖ Submitted by the Carl Pacifico, ―OK, got the teddy from Victoria’s Secret for my girl friend. Next on the list a turkey baster for my mother. And the winner: submitted by a Rescue Ranger with a certain Virginia County EMS Department with the initials D.W; ―Victoria Secret Gift Bag, texting, walking in a mall...it can only mean one thing, Victoria Secret lifted the restraining order and Matt can go out in public again! - also, Also, wasn’t this taken during the symposium and wasn’t Matt supposed to be in class?‖
In each of the 2012 issues VIRGINIA LIFELINE we have been having a photo caption contest. This is our last submission and we are soliciting your humorous captions to this photo. You are asked to forward your captions to this photo of Dolores Hudson and Ruth Swicegood taken at a recent Northeastern District AVAVRS Meeting. All entries will be (after censoring) printed. Send your captions by email to gdalton@vavrs.com V I R G I N I A
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District Five News Submitted by Tarry Pribble, VAVRS Past President District 5 Tries Out ATV EVOC People attending the District 5 meeting at Danville Life Saving Crew on March 10th were treated to new version of EVOC. With the VAVRS establishing the ATV Rescue, Awareness and Operations course last year, Course Coordinators Gerald Layne and Tarry Pribble took the opportunity to promote the class in their home district. A cone course was set up in an adjacent parking to the EVOC competition. Two UTVs were provided for the event and everyone was invited to give it a try. Those over 16 years of age got to experience driving the vehicles while those under 16 were given a ride by an instructor or an accompanying adult. In all, approximately 35 people stepped up and enjoyed the opportunity. VAVRS President ―Bubby‖ Bish described it as ―Just Awesome!‖ and then took a second trip around the circuit.
VAVRS President Bubby Bish and Roger Vassar race through the figure 8
A custom designed Danville Life Saving Crew members UTV and an ATV from navigate a UTV through the cone course. Citizens Emergency Crew were also on display for those squads with an interest in starting their own ATV Program. ATVs and UTVs have become recognized as an efficient and affordable tool for off road and rough terrain rescue as well as for entertainment EMS such as festival, sporting events, outdoor concerts and any large gathering of people.
The ATV Rescue, Awareness and Operations course is an 8 hour best practices course for all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by-sides (UTVs). It focuses on safety, Virginia Law, maintenance, basic riding skills, using ATVs and UTVs in rescue. Students will perform basic and advance riding skill drills and then participate in a trail rides that assure each student gets riding/ driving time. A practical evolution finished out the day. If your squad or district is interested in hosting a class or would like to have an ATV EVOC event at a district meeting please contact the state office or a course coordinator. The next scheduled class will be held at Appomattox County Rescue Squad on May 19th. Sign up soon, class size is limited to 20 students! V I R G I N I A
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Dear Rescue Ranger, I found out a secret and wanted to share it with everyone. During a routine drop off at a nursing home, I asked the Director of Nursing, "How do you determine whether or not an older person should be put in an old age home?" I had always been curious. "Well," she said, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer the patient a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket and tell them to empty the bathtub." I said, "Oh, I understand, "A normal person would use the bucket because it is bigger than the spoon or the teacup." See how smart I am. Getting Close in Surry Dear Clueless, "No, No, No Tommy, a normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?" Dear Rescue Ranger, Heard you were left in charge of a couple of your grandchildren during a recent outing. How did that go? Curious in Holly Grove Dear Cindy, Went very well. Here is an actual photo of my grandchildren, Kensley and Greyson. It shows how well I keep a watch on the safety of all children placed in my charge!
Dear Rescue Ranger, I don’t get to keep the grandkids very much but the other day my wife was out and I in charge. My 2 1/2 years old granddaughter had been given a little 'tea set' as a gift, and it was one of her favorite toys. I was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when she brought me a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and V I R G I N I A
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lots of praise for such yummy tea. When my wife came home I made her wait in the living room to watch her bring me a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' I am so proud to be a grandparent and to be so respected by my grandchild. Proud Granddad in Chesterfield Dear Lin, You should be proud but did id it ever occur to you that the only place a 2 1/2 year old can reach to get water is the toilet?"
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." - St. John 15:13
EMS Exchange Program We have chosen our four applicants to attend the May 2012 German exchange program, they are very excited. The individuals representing VAVRS will be:
Bonnie Caplinger—Broadway RS Stephen Martone—Mountain View RS Robert Truoccolo—Ashland RS Taneta McCaw—VA Beach RS If anybody has Rescue Squad, Fire or Police patches that we could take over to Germany with us it would be wonderful. You can mail them to the following address:
Jane LaVerne, 58A Villa Ridge Dr, Hartfield, VA 23071 - Your help is appreciated!