EMS Words of Wisdom - Keep Pushing Forward

 

EMS Training Opportunity - Paid 'Victim Actors' Needed

Colorado Cardiac CPR is looking for 'victim actors' to help with a Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) course we are running

You will be paid $75 per session for Oscar worthy acting skills (or your best attempt), and we need to fill three (3) sessions.

This will require 'victim actors' to be made up with fake blood (moulage) and realistic wounds. You will get dirty. Your 'victim' clothes (provided) may get cut off.

When:

Wednesday, April 2 (Session 1: 1pm till 5pm)

Thursday, April 3 (Session 2: 7 am till 12 pm)

Thursday, (Session 3: 12:30 pm till 4:30 pm)

Where: SACFD Training Facility (Old Animal Shelter - "The Pound"), 10705 Fulton St, Brighton, CO 80601

Who: Anyone 18+ (Drama queens/kings encouraged, but not required)

What: You’ll be assigned a role to play in a scenario where the TEMS students practice scene management and patient handling.

Pay: $75 per session (Net 30 days: check mailed or picked up at our Littleton location).

If interested contact the 3CPR Team: info@3cpr.org for more information.

Share with a friend who’d love to get paid to be dramatic!

EMS Words of Wisdom - Educate Yourself

Your knowledge and ability to act on your education is your most useful tool.

If you need motivation and inspiration, then look within yourself.

Your knowledge and skills give you the power to save lives.

Healthcare News - Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is one of the most severe infectious diseases in the Americas.

The pathogen targets endothelial cells, leading to widespread microvascular damage, fluid leakage, and severe complications such as pneumonitis, myocarditis, kidney injury, and meningoencephalitis.

In advanced cases, RMSF can cause respiratory distress, cardiac abnormalities, coma, and peripheral gangrene, with high mortality rates if left untreated.

Timely diagnosis and immediate antibiotic administration are critical, as mortality can reach 50% within the first eight days of illness.

RMSF is transmitted through various tick species, with Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick) playing a significant role in Mexico, while Amblyomma species contribute to transmission in Brazil and North America.

The disease is endemic across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and South America, with an increasing number of urban outbreaks linked to poor sanitation, high tick populations, and free-roaming dogs.

A One Health approach has identified three primary ecological zones for RMSF transmission: sylvatic (wildlife-based), peridomestic (domesticated animal involvement), and urban (densely populated regions).

Control efforts require vector management, improved veterinary care, environmental modifications, and public health initiatives.

The brown dog tick presents a particular challenge due to its resistance to acaricides, necessitating integrated pest management strategies, including the use of isoxazolines and environmental barriers.

RMSF remains a serious public health concern, demanding coordinated intervention.

Preventative strategies - such as early recognition, vector control, sterilization programs, and public awareness - are essential to reducing transmission and improving patient outcomes.

Healthcare professionals must remain vigilant in identifying and managing suspected cases to mitigate the disease’s increasing burden.

For more information access this Medtigo link .

References: Foley J., López-Pérez A.M., Álvarez-Hernández G (2025) A Wolf at The Door: The Ecology, Epidemiology & Emergence of Community & Urban-Level Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in The Americas. American Journal of Veterinary Research 86(3):368-378. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.11.0368 Accessed March 10, 2025

EMS Education -Teaching and Testing the New BLS Exams

This is essential information for anyone in the group who has yet to take the NREMT exam, as well as for those training EMRs and EMTs who will be taking it.

In this recorded webinar, Dan Limmer discusses how the recent changes to the National Registry’s BLS exam will impact current students and what EMT educators can do to ensure their students are prepared.

He covers key areas such as assessment, differential diagnosis, and critical thinking skills necessary for success on the updated exam.

Download the educator resources from Limmer Education here: https://bit.ly/BLS-Exam-Resources

EMS In The News - Runaway Ambulance

A man stole an ambulance from outside Swedish Hospital on Chicago’s North Side and ignited a 15-mile police chase.

The drama unfolded around noon when the suspect, taking off in an unoccupied ambulance owned by Elite Ambulance, sped off right from the emergency room entrance.

Those reading this probably know, ambulances are not the fastest get-away vehicles. Also, they’re usually large, badged up, and hard to miss.

Law enforcement quickly tracked the runaway vehicle north, eventually finding it in a parking lot at an office complex near I-94 and Dundee Road in Northbrook.

The chase ended with the suspect’s arrest, and the ambulance was processed for evidence.

Source: JEMS - Journal of Emergency Medical Services

EMS Words of Wisdom - Be Curious, Not Judgmental

 

EMS Celebrations – International Women’s Day

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a demanding and dynamic profession that requires dedication, skill, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. 

Today, on International Women’s Day, we take the opportunity to honor and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of women in EMS. Their strength, bravery, and resilience continue to shape the field and inspire future generations of emergency responders.  

Women in EMS serve in various capacities as paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), flight medics, educators, administrators, and leaders. 

Despite the challenges that come with working in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, they demonstrate exceptional skill and professionalism while saving lives and providing critical prehospital care. 

Their role is not just about responding to emergencies but also about fostering innovation, mentoring the next generation of EMS professionals, and advocating for improved healthcare systems.  

As we recognize the achievements of women in emergency services, we also acknowledge the progress made in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field. 

Although historically a male-dominated profession, EMS has seen a growing number of women stepping into leadership roles, breaking barriers, and paving the way for a more inclusive and representative workforce. 

Their dedication to patient care, teamwork, and professional excellence is a testament to the vital role they play in shaping the future of EMS.  

Today, we encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate and support the incredible women who dedicate their lives to serving others in their most vulnerable moments. 

Whether on the front lines of emergency response, in training and education, or in leadership and advocacy, their contributions are invaluable.  

Let us continue working towards a future where opportunities in EMS are equitable for all, and where women are empowered to lead, innovate, and thrive in every aspect of the profession.  

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women in EMS!

Healthcare News - FDA Approves Needle-Free Epinephrine Alternative for Pediatric Anaphylaxis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Neffy, an epinephrine nasal spray developed by ARS Pharmaceuticals, for the emergency treatment of Type I allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in children aged four years and older (33–66 lbs.).

This approval marks the first significant advancement in pediatric epinephrine delivery in over 30 years.

Epinephrine remains the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, yet research indicates that delays in administration are common due to apprehension regarding needle-based auto-injectors.

Neffy addresses this barrier to potential use by providing a precise, needle-free delivery system that simplifies emergency intervention.

Clinical trials have demonstrated its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalency to traditional epinephrine injections, with minimal side effects.

Designed for stability, Neffy maintains efficacy for 24 months at room temperature and withstands extreme temperatures, ensuring reliability in diverse conditions.

The device is user-friendly, enabling non-medical personnel, such as teachers and caregivers, to administer life-saving treatment effectively.

The nasal spray will be available in the U.S. starting May 2025, with affordability initiatives, including co-pay savings and patient assistance programs, ensuring broader accessibility.

The approval of Neffy reflects a growing shift toward needle-free epinephrine solutions, improving anaphylaxis management and patient outcomes in both pre-hospital and in-hospital settings.

For more information access the Medtigo link.

Further Reading:

ARS Pharmaceuticals (2025) FDA Approval of Neffy® 1 mg (epinephrine nasal spray) for Type I Allergic Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis, in Pediatric Patients Weighing 15 to < 30 Kilograms Accessed March 5, 2024

Images of EMS - Spring Is In The Air