CMS GADCS: Labor Costs Webinar Recording
CMS recently posted an updated Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) webinar on Labor Costs on their Ambulance Events webpage.
Author: AAA Staff
EMS.gov | State EMS Bill Tracking Database Updated with Key Enacted Legislation
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Share Your Message of Support for Families of Fallen EMS Heroes
The all-volunteer National EMS Memorial Service honors EMS professionals who have died in the line of duty. Write your message of sympathy for the families of the 2024 honorees below, and they will be shared with them at the NEMSMS Weekend of Honor. Even just a sentence or two means the world to those left behind.
National EMS Memorial Service | Messages to Families
The American Ambulance Association is collecting messages on behalf of the National EMS Memorial Service for the families of EMS professionals who passed away in the line of duty. Please use this form to share your message with the loved ones left behind. View a list of the 2024 honorees at https://ems.zone/24nemsmshonorees
Rest in Peace, Richard Zuschlag
It is with profound sorrow that the American Ambulance Association extends our heartfelt condolences to the Acadian family on the passing of Richard Zuschlag. As a cherished friend and esteemed colleague, Richard’s impact on the EMS community and beyond is immeasurable. His vision, generosity, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Randy Strozyk, President of the American Ambulance Association, aptly said, “Richard was a giant in our field, whose passion for service and commitment to excellence set a standard that will inspire future generations. His legacy of compassion and leadership will forever guide us.”
Richard’s life was a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and servant leadership. He was a beacon of hope and a force for good, and his memory will continue to inspire and uplift us.
The Passing of Richard Emery Zuschlag
March 28, 1948 – June 5, 2024
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share with you the passing of our friend, mentor, and leader Richard Emery Zuschlag. Richard fought the hard fight that so many with cancer and its complications have endured. While we mourn our extraordinary loss, we are comforted in knowing that he is no longer suffering. He is now in the loving arms of his Lord, in whom he had unwavering faith.
Richard was a much loved and admired agent of change, not only in the state of Louisiana but across the nation. The lives he affected through his vision, generosity, inspiration, and leadership are countless. Whether a friend, employee, peer or patient, all of our lives were changed due to his undeniable determination to make a difference.
His legacy endures through his beautiful family, and in every life saved, every patient helped, and in every battle he waged to ensure that all people had access to high-quality medical care. He never backed down when fighting for the things he loved most: his family, his employees, and the communities he served.
His legacy also lives on in the company he tirelessly worked 53 years to grow and nurture. Acadian Companies is not just a successful organization but also serves as an example of how servant leadership, high integrity and unwavering determination create success, not for one, but for all.
We will forever be changed, forever be grateful, and forever be better because of who Richard was and the lessons and legacy he has left us. He treated everyone with respect and was constantly striving to bring people together for the greater good. It is up to all of us to honor this legacy by living and leading by his example and his faith. Because of Richard, Acadian is stronger than ever, and in his honor, we will carry on his life’s work.
Special thanks go out to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dr. Charles Burnell, Dr. Jason Breaux, Paul Hamilton and the many friends and healthcare providers who attended to him.
Please continue to pray for Richard, his family, friends and all those whose lives have been forever changed by this loss.
Information regarding services will be provided when available. We humbly ask you to please respect the privacy of the family while arrangements are being made.
OSHA Emergency Response Rule Comment Period Extended Again
From the OSHA Website on June 4, 2024
NEW Update: The deadline for comment submission has been extended a second time to July 22, 2024.
The Emergency Response proposed rule is here!
OSHA is happy to announce that the Emergency Response proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register and is now available for viewing.
OSHA welcomes and encourages the submission of public comments in response to this proposed rule. To allow additional time for those individuals interested in creating and submitting a comment, OSHA will be further extending the window for comment submission. The comment period now ends on July 22, 2024.
Comments can be submitted to the Emergency Response Docket at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2007-0073.
OSHA will also be hosting a public hearing, the date of which has yet to be determined. To ensure access to the hearing for all interested members of the public, remote access will be provided.
Additional information on OSHA’s rulemaking process and how stakeholders can participate is available at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/rulemakingprocess.
EMS.gov | On-Demand: EMS Harm Reduction and SUD Treatment
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EMS.gov | Commemorate National EMS Week
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POTUS | A Proclamation on National EMS Week 2024
Whitehouse.gov Post | Share on Facebook | Retweet on X
A Proclamation on National Emergency Medical Services Week, 2024
During National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, we honor our Nation’s courageous EMS providers, who put it all on the line to deliver urgent, life-saving care to people across our country in times of great need.
Whether paramedics, emergency medical technicians, 911 and 988 dispatchers, or other first responders, EMS providers routinely work long hours away from loved ones to keep other families whole. They risk their own lives and health, staring down storms, floods, or fires and rushing to rescue people in need. For many Americans, they are a beacon of hope in some of life’s toughest moments and let us know we are going to be okay. We have a duty to show up for them the way they show up for us.
That is why my Administration is working to get every EMS department in America the equipment and support they deserve. During my first months in office, we passed the American Rescue Plan, investing billions of dollars to support EMS roles. Today, we are working with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to keep EMTs on the job and to help them handle trauma and burn out. We are working to get departments the resources they need to provide better training and equipment for EMS providers. To help ease staffing shortages, we are also helping communities recruit and train more firefighters, who often provide emergency medical services as well. We are fighting to ease the burden of student loans. In all, we have cancelled debt for 4.6 million student borrowers, including for nearly 900,000 public service workers by fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which many non-profit or government EMS provider employees could be eligible for.
I have often said that courage lies in every heart, and the expectation is that it will one day be summoned. It is summoned every day for America’s EMS providers. They embody the best of our Nation — bravery, honor, and respect, never failing to answer the call to help others. This week, we thank them and the unions that protect so many of our EMS providers and promise to always have their backs.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 19 through May 25, 2024, as National Emergency Medical Services Week. I call upon public officials, doctors, nurses, paramedics, EMS providers, and all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to honor our brave EMS workers and to pay tribute to the EMS providers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
ACE Cost Data Collection Newsletter | May 2024
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EMS.gov | EMS Day at the Museum and National Mall Event
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Life-Assist Unlocks Grant Opportunities for First Responders
The Life-Assist Grant Assistance Program helps First Responders navigate the over 1400 grants available nationwide to pinpoint those tailored to meet their specific needs. Life-Assist offers unlimited and customized grants at no cost, powered by Lexipol.
The process is easy and increases the likelihood of success in securing grants. With the Life-Assist Grant Assistance Program, first responders have access to a comprehensive grant database to easily identify the grant that will support them with their EMS needs. To help navigate this vast landscape, unlimited and personalized grant research assistance specific to each agency’s project is provided. First Responders can also set up alerts for projects when using this program.
Getting started with the Life-Assist Grant Assistance Program is as simple as visiting our dedicated Grant webpage and filling out a 2-page form powered by Lexipol. The agency will hear from a Grant consultation expert soon after, who will help throughout the entire process to maximize the chances of successfully securing the funding sought.
Andy Selby, Vice-President of Sales at Life-Assist, explains why we started the Grant Assistance Program. “At Life-Assist, our primary purpose is to provide the best resources and tools available to First Responders. OurGrants Program will give access to unlimited funding opportunities to support critical patient care programs to our First Responders in local communities across the country,” Andy Selby, VP of Sales, Life-Assist.
To apply for a Grant through the Life-Assist Grant Assistance Program free of cost, visit: https://www.life-assist.com/info/grants
NHTSA | What Are the Potential Applications for AI in EMS?
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NAEMSP Survey on Drug Shortages: Impact on Fire Departments and EMS Agencies
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Emergency Medical Products for First Responders Since 1977
What is the Life-Assist Difference?
Life-Assist has been serving First Responders with emergency medical products and equipment since 1977.
We Offer a Personal Touch in an Automated World
Our genuine care for our customers is demonstrated through the quality of service we provide and the important connections we maintain with our First Responder customers. When you call Life-Assist at 1-800-824-6016 during business hours, you are never be greeted by an automated phone system. Instead, you will speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Customer Care Specialists.
Life-Assist is an Employee-Owned Company
Thriving as a family-owned business for 45 years by following the philosophy that the customer always comes first, in July 2022, Life-Assist went one step further, giving its employees a vested interest in serving others by becoming an ESOP company (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
Charitable Giving is Part of our DNA
Life-Assist takes pride in our support for those who selflessly serve others and contribute to the betterment of the community at large. We partner with First Responders Children’s Foundation, who support children who have lost a First Responder parent in the line of duty.
Life-Assist’s Project Pink was founded in response to the loss of one of our own, Debbie Lang. Debbie’s charity of choice was METAvivor. We honor her by donating a portion of all Project Pink proceeds to this organization every year.
We Offer a Grant Assistance Program to First Responders
More than $600 billion in nationwide grants are available to public safety agencies and local government each year. With our Grant Assistance Program, Life-Assist can help First Responders find the grants they need for EMS equipment.
Same Day Shipping Available
Orders placed by 4pm (M-F) local time will be shipped the same day.
Our National Account Manager Provides Extra Value
Chad Marsh’s experience in the EMS industry spans over 30 years. The key to the longevity of his success is his ability to create relationships with customers and provide valuable information relating to products, protocols and procedures used in the industry.
To contact Chad Marsh, call (503) 936-1879, or email: chad.marsh@life-assist.com
Customer Care: 800.824.6016
Homeland Security | Homeland Threat Assessment 2024
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Intelligence Enterprise Homeland Threat Assessment reflects the insights from across the Department, the Intelligence Community, and other critical homeland security stakeholders. It focuses on the most direct, pressing threats to our Homeland during the next year and is organized into four sections. We organized this assessment around the Department’s missions that most closely align or apply to these threats—public safety, border and immigration, critical infrastructure, and economic security. As such, many of the threat actors and their efforts cut across mission areas and interact in complex and, at times, reinforcing ways.
Going forward, the annual Homeland Threat Assessment will serve as the primary regular mechanism for articulating and describing the prevailing terrorism threat level, which has previously been done through our issuance of National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletins. In the future, the issuance of NTAS bulletins will be reserved for situations where we need to alert the public about a specific or imminent terrorist threat or about a change in the terrorism threat level.
GoAERO Prize Updated Guidelines
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4/11 CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum
The next CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum scheduled for:
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Start Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm PM Eastern Time (ET);
Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time.
Conference Leaders: Jill Darling, Maria Durham
**This Agenda is Subject to Change**
I. Opening Remarks
Chair- Maria Durham, Director, Division of Data Analysis and Market Based Pricing
Moderator – Jill Darling (Office of Communications)
II. Announcements & Updates
1. Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS)
III. Open Q&A
**DATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Next Ambulance Open Door Forum: TBA
ODF email: AMBULANCEODF@cms.hhs.gov
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This Open Door Forum is open to everyone, but if you are a member of the Press,
you may listen in but please refrain from asking questions during the Q & A portion of
the call. If you have inquiries, please contact CMS at Press@cms.hhs.gov. Thank
you.
NEW and UPDATED Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:
This call will be a Zoom webinar with registration and login instructions below.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://cms.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_vfsU5LSKR3atiW9T_AhrDg
Meeting ID: 160 823 4591
Passcode: 200020
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the webinar. You may also add the webinar to your calendar using the dropdown arrow on the “Webinar Registration Approved” webpage after registering.’
Although the ODFs are now a Zoom webinar, we will only use the audio function, no need for cameras to be on.
For ODF schedule updates and E-Mailing List registration, visit our website at http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/.
Were you unable to attend the recent Ambulance ODF call? We encourage you to visit our CMS Podcasts and Transcript webpage where you can listen and view the most recent Ambulance ODF call. The webinar recording and transcript will be posted to: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-andEducation/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts.html.
CMS provides free auxiliary aids and services including information in accessible formats. Click here for more information. This will point partners to our CMS.gov version of the “Accessibility & Nondiscrimination notice” page. Thank you.
EMS.gov | New Resources Address Important EMS Issues
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JEMS | Remembering Mike Touchstone
Jonathon Feit eulogizes Mike Touchstone for making significant contributions to advance EMS and fire leadership.