Emergency Medical Services

NFPA 472: 

Should EMS Systems Take A Look?

Ask yourself, “What’s the difference between responding to a ‘typical’ hazardous materials event and a potential scenario involving a weapon of mass destruction?”  To many in the business, there is no difference and EMS systems should plan for one just as the do the other.

For last several years, grant funding and emergency response planning efforts have focused on the intentional release or purpose-driven attack using chemical and biological weapons.  It has driven the thought process in a direction of planning for the worst case scenario while potentially overshadowing the most-likely scenario.  The role EMS systems play in an accidental release of a hazardous materials event or an intentional act against their community has continued to evolve over time, causing each to evaluate their capabilities in the areas of response and mitigation of the same.  In doing so, several standards and regulations must be researched and analyzed to ensure proper training and education of affected staff is in place.

To learn more about the new focus EMS systems should have on such planning efforts, read the article, “Using NFPA 472 to develop a Competency-Based Hazmat/WMD Emergency Responder Training Program.” by Gregory G. Noll, CSP, CHMM.  The article may be found http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3737/is_200803/ai_n25140281.

By considering the origin of NFPA 472, EMS systems can begin to plan and integrate their operating guidelines with those of their partner agencies as they develop a comprehensive program that focuses on an all-hazards approach.

Nigerian Dignitaries Visit Guilford EMS

June 6^th, 2008, Greensboro

Emergency Services personnel met with dignitaries who work for the Medical Team for President Umaru Yar’Adua and the State House of Nigeria on June 6th.

The Nigerian delegation was in the United States looking at ambulances they had purchased from AEV, a vendor also used by Guilford County. While in the US, the group wanted to visit with EMS providers in order to review state of the art American emergency services operations.

The group was very impressed with the formal protocols, training and operations utilized by Emergency Services and took several sample documents and checklist with them. Additionally, they were amazed at the technology and medical equipment available, commenting that they would like to duplicate Guilford County’s specification on their next order.

ES personnel provided an invitation for additional personnel to return to Guilford County for extended learning opportunities. The group included Senior Ambulance Driver Ali Sabo, Nurse Midwife Dige Mamman, Dr. Obilade, and Intensive Care Nurse Sanusi Sani.