2010 EMS at Firehouse Expo

FIREHOUSE EXPO 2011 WILL TAKE PLACE JULY 19-23 IN BALTIMORE, MD. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR EVENT DETAILS.

Firehouse Expo conference attendees are invited to attend these EMS classes certified for CEU credit at no additional charge. Conference sessions are 90 minutes in length, unless otherwise noted. Program subject to change.

July 22, 2010
8:30 AM	Care at an Extrication Scene Mike Dailey, MD, FACEP Medical Track Any car crash is a complex environment of multiple resources, agencies and providers all working for the same goal--optimal patient care. But crashes have changed over the last 40 years and so have the resources we bring to patient care. With so many new tools and toys, how do we make sure we continue to focus on the goals of efficient, rapid disentanglement, while ensuring the safety of rescuers is maintained. What care and providers should be in the "inner circle" in and directly around the vehicle, and what can wait until disentanglement is complete? Dr. Dailey's talk will focus on medical care of the extrication patient--the reason we're there in the first place.
8:30 AM	Operations Security Erik Gaull, MBA, MPP, NREMT-P Occupational Track This session is a must-attend for any EMS personnel who may be involved in planning for or responding to a mass gathering event, a high-profile operation or a major incident. In his lecture, Erik introduces the basic concepts of Operations Security (OPSEC)--an analytic process used to deny adversaries information (generally unclassified) concerning public safety agencies' intentions and capabilities by identifying, controlling and protecting indicators associated with our planning processes or operations. Given the importance of public safety operations in the post-9/11 world, there has never been a greater need for OPSEC in EMS.
12:00 PM	Excited Delirium Mike Dailey, MD, FACEP Medical Track None of us want a patient to die on our stretcher, and our colleagues in law enforcement don't want anyone to die in their custody. The controversial diagnosis of excited delirium is making the news as a cause of in-custody deaths nationwide, but what is it? Does it really exist, or is it just another term for asphyxia? How can we recognize those patients early enough to save their lives? In this session, Dr. Dailey will focus on the known physiology and the questions that still need to be answered, while addressing the cues that can help prevent a tragedy.
12:00 PM	Firefighter Rehab: It's More Than Something to Drink and a Place to Sit Erik Gaull, MBA, MPP, NREMT-P Operational Track For more than a decade, we've talked about firefighter rehab, but many departments still haven't implemented a formal rehab program. This presentation covers everything you need to know to implement (or improve) a rehab program in your department, including basic procedures, medical protocols, what equipment should be procured and best practices from leading departments.
July 23, 2010
8:30 AM	Emergency Vehicle Safety Brian Maguire, Dr.PH, MSA, EMT-P Operational Track Each year, EMS, fire and police respond to millions of calls, some of which end in serious and even fatal crashes. This presentation will examine the risks to emergency service providers and to the general public, factors associated with emergency vehicle collisions, how collision rates and transportation-related occupational fatality rates vary between services, and how those rates compare to the national average. Attend this class to learn how to identify risks in your own organization and how to establish programs to mitigate those risks.
8:30 AM	Getting It Right the First Time: Perfecting the Narrative Portion of Prehospital Care Reports Daniel E. Glick, BPS, NREMT-P Medical Track Documentation is one of the more important functions of EMS providers, yet it is often not emphasized enough in the training environment. This lecture takes a systematic approach to the narrative portion of documentation, using an algorithmic approach that teaches you to write in a hospital-style that assists with transfer of important patient information through the continuum of care.
10:15 AM	Perfecting the Handoff: Patient Transfers Between BLS and ALS Providers Daniel E. Glick, BPS, NREMT-P Medical Track Maintaining integrity during transfers of patients through the continuum of care is essential for a successful outcome. Many systems require that BLS providers turn over patient care to ALS, but providing a seamless transition takes skill, practice and patience. This session focuses on the necessary elements of complete, accurate and smooth transitions between providers.
10:15 AM	Tactical EMS Overview: Medical Support in High-Risk Law Enforcement Operations TFC Steven Proctor Operational Track Join TFC Proctor, a trooper with the Maryland State Police, to learn more about the principals of tactical medical support, the background of EMS support to law enforcement operations, key elements of successful interface between tactical and traditional EMS, and what tactical EMS resources are available through MSP's Special Operations Division.
12:00 PM	America's School Shootings: Is Your Department Ready? Ken Bouvier, NREMT-P Medical Track This session is designed to help fire departments, first responders, EMTs and paramedics be better prepared to handle incidents where school children, teachers and administrators become victims of gun violence. Learn how EMS systems may become overloaded with requests for service and how to render care to children from your own community. Ken also covers respecting the crime scene and preserving evidence, dealing with anxious parents, and how the Incident Command System can help your department manage the incident safely, make better use of equipment and resources, and improve communications with responding mutual aid companies.
12:00 PM	Occupational Safety Brian Maguire, Dr.PH, MSA, EMT-P Operational Track Despite the crucial role EMS plays in healthcare and disaster response, there is little known about the occupational risks for these responders. In this session, Brian looks the leading types of injuries, illnesses and fatalities; the events that led to those incidents; and how those rates compare to the national average. Participants will learn how to calculate rates for their own agencies and how to develop risk-reduction strategies for their employees.
July 24, 2010
8:30 AM	Smoke Inhalation and Cyanide Poisoning Richard Alcorta, MD, FACEP Medical Track Smoke inhalation is an important but often overlooked cause of cyanide poisoning. A substantial body of evidence shows that cyanide can be at least as important as carbon monoxide as a toxic threat in fire smoke. Evidence also points to a lethal synergy between carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning, even at independently sublethal doses. In this session, Dr. Alcorta discusses Maryland??s optional supplemental EMS protocol for management of patients who manifest significant signs and symptoms of acute cyanide poisoning.
8:30 AM	Squeaky Clean--Stop Glowing Green: WMD/CBRNE/Hazmat Response Robert Katz, EMT-P/FF Operational Track Whether intentional or accidental, nasty stuff presents a "clear and present" danger to our citizens and to emergency responders. Preparation, awareness, training and response must all be collaborative efforts with multiple neighboring agencies, jurisdictions and departments. In this session, Robert will examine best practices through dynamic interactive scenarios and "live" demonstrations. Participants will leave with practical checklists and flexible guidelines for implementation in their own departments.
10:15 AM	New and Emerging Drugs of Abuse Liza Booze, PharmD, CSPI Medical Track Drugs of abuse and the ways in which they're used are constantly changing as users and dealers search for easily accessible, more potent and sometimes legal ways to get high. In this session, Lisa will look at what's new on the drug scene, including synthetic and "designer drugs," plants, and old drugs being used in new, more innovative ways, and discuss the clinical manifestations and toxicity of these substances.
10:15 AM	No Place to Call Home Dwight Polk, MSW, NREMT-P Medical Track Homeless patients present many challenges to EMS providers. Most have complicated medical histories that can make diagnosis and treatment difficult. This dynamic presentation will explore many of the common problems seen in the homeless, including medical emergencies, trauma, mental illness and substance abuse.
12:00 PM	The Big Bang: Threats from Explosive Devices Robert Katz, EMT-P/FF Operational Track Incendiary explosive devices are not just on the news anymore. From international terrorists to overly adventurous teens, the threat to citizens and emergency responders from IEDs is real and growing. In this session, Robert will examine best practices for awareness and response as attendees participate in interactive scenarios and "live" demonstrations. You'll leave the class with practical checklists and flexible guidelines for implementation in your own department, whether it's in a big city or rural community.
12:00 PM	You Gotta Know When to Hold 'Em and When to Run Jim Radcliffe, MBA, BS, NREMT-P Medical Track On every trauma call we run we are faced with critical transport and treatment decisions, both on the way to the call and on scene. All of these decisions are driven by information gathered from your scene assessment, the situation, the patient and past experience. Being able to quickly weigh the information and make critical decisions may mean the difference between life and death for the patient. During this interactive session, Jim will discuss specific trauma cases and how you know when to hold 'em, fold 'em or when to run.