Crash Responder Safety Week, November 13–17, 2023

EMS News

Take Part in Crash Responder Safety Week, November 13–17, 2023

Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) takes place November 13 –17, 2023. Emergency medical services (EMS) and other emergency responders provide care and support to those injured on our roadways due to a crash. These traffic incident responders put their lives at risk when clearing each of the nearly 7 million annual motor vehicle crashes or the broader range of incidents such as stalled vehicles or roadway debris. EMS provides clinical care at 1.5 million of those crashes according to National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) data.

This year’s focus is “Protect Those Who Protect You,” emphasizing the public’s role in keeping responders safe while responders improve the safety for all road users. This recognition effort will honor responders, provide an overview of activities taking place across the country and connect all responder stakeholders to kickoff this important week.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program, a traffic incident responder is struck and killed nearly every week, and many more traffic incident responders sustain life-altering injuries. When a traffic incident responder or a response vehicle is struck, the impacts are far reaching — putting a greater long-term strain on limited resources that service the broad community needs.

Your Role in Crash Responder Safety Week:

  • Encourage traffic incident responders in your community to take the free, 4-hour National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder training available online through the National Highway Institute or in person through TIM Coordinators within each State. Nearly 700,000 responders have completed this training to date.
  • Make an extra effort this week to increase public education activities to inform drivers about your State’s Slow Down, Move Over law, which requires drivers to slow down, and, if possible, to move over when approaching incident response vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, tow trucks, safety service patrols and municipal or utility vehicles.
  • Public safety and EMS agencies are encouraged to attend the webinar and customize these promotional materials for each day’s theme and share them widely to increase awareness and promote safety on the road.
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2023 AAA Board of Directors Election Results

The winners of the 2023 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. Each Director will serve a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2024.  Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.

Region 1 Director (3 year term)

Mike Addario
Vice President, Operations
Global Medical Response

 

 

 


 

Region 2 Director (3 year term)

Mike Thomas
Director of Government Relations & Safety
Jan-Care Ambulance

 

 

 


Region 3 Director (3 year term)

Kyle Wolber

Director of Logistics
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.

 

 

 


 

Region 4 Director (3 year term)

Tom Fennell
Regulatory Officer
Mayo Clinic Ambulance

 

 

 


Region 5 Director (3 year term)

Jimmy Pierson
President
Medic Ambulance Service

 

 

 

 


Ethics Committee Members (2 year term)

  • Christopher Dell (Region 2)
  • Mike Pieroni (Region 3)
  • Johna Easley (Region 4)
  • Ailyn Risch (Region 5)

 

2023 AAA Legislative Awards

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 AAA Legislative Awards. Each Member of Congress is being recognized for their strong advocacy for emergency medical services and their ongoing dedication to ambulance services across the United States.

2023 AAA Legislators of the Year

Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D (LA)
Senator Jon Tester (MT)

2023 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients

Senators

  • Senator Cortez Masto (NV)
  • Senator Collins (ME)
  • Senator Stabenow (MI)
  • Senator Schumer (NY)
  • Senator Lujan (NM)
  • Senator Kaine (VA)
  • Senator Murkowski (AK)
  • Senator Tuberville (AL)
  • Senator Murray (WA)
  • Senator Moran (KS)
  • Senator Boozman (AR)

Representatives

  • Congressman Blumenauer (OR-3)
  • Congresswoman Kelly (IL-2)
  • Congresswoman Sewell (AL-7)
  • Congressman Wenstrup (OH-2)
  • Congressman Carter (GA-1)
  • Congressman Tonko (NY-20)
  • Congressman Davis (IL-7)
  • Congresswoman Perez (WA-3)
  • Congressman Finstad (MN-1)
  • Congressman Pence (IN-6)
  • Congressman Kim (NJ-3)
  • Congresswoman Clark (MA-5)
  • Congressman Zinke (MT-1)
  • Congressman Guest (MS-3)
  • Congresswoman Hoyle (OR-4)
  • Congressman Bost (IL-12)
  • Congressman Alford (MO-4)

 

Release | EMS Heroes Honored in Washington, DC as 2023 Stars of Life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Riordan
703-615-4492
ariordan@ambulance.org

EMS Heroes To Be Honored in Washington, DC as 2023 Stars of Life

Washington, DC—Next week, the American Ambulance Association (AAA) will recognize extraordinary EMS professionals during the annual Stars of Life celebration. 128 individuals from across the United States will be honored as the 2023 Stars at a prestigious event November 6–8.

Stars of Life pays tribute to the dedication of these hometown heroes while shining light on the critical role EMS plays in our healthcare infrastructure. During their time in our nation’s capital, the Stars will receive medallions and plaques in thanks for their lifesaving and life-sustaining service. The Stars, accompanied by their families and executive hosts, will also meet with members of Congress and congressional aides to discuss policy issues critical to emergency medical services.

In addition to the Stars, Senator Jon Tester of Montana and Senator Bill Cassidy, MD of Louisiana will be recognized as Legislators of the Year, and 11 United States Senators and 17 Representatives will receive Legislative Recognition Awards for their support of mobile healthcare.

American Ambulance Association President Randy Strozyk noted that, “EMS professionals work tirelessly to provide round-the-clock healthcare when it is needed most.” He continued, “Together, we honor this year’s Stars of Life, and thank them for the countless hours of service they have dedicated to their local communities.”

This year’s distinguished Stars of Life honorees are:

Please note that members of the media are welcome to attend the Stars of Life Banquet at the Intercontinental Wharf hotel on November 7, 2023 from 7:00–9:00pm. Interviews with Stars of Life as well as national EMS leaders will be available.

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About The American Ambulance Association

Caring for People—First.

The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering our members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare. For more than 40 years, we have proudly represented those who care for people first.

National EMS Advisory Council Meeting November 15-16, 2023

EMS News
The National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) will host a hybrid meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, November 15-16, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 4:15 PM ET. Join us for national EMS program updates and meet the newest members of NEMSAC.

Don’t miss the latest research and innovations and be a part of the discussion during the public comment period. All members of the public are invited to attend the meeting virtually or in person.

Location: Hyatt Place (Georgetown)
2121 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20037
Public attendance available virtually.

The NEMSAC meeting agenda includes:

  • Updates from federal EMS partners, FICEMS and NEMSIS
  • Presentations on body cameras, geographic disparities in ambulance services and violence in paramedicine
  • Standing and ad hoc subcommittee advisory reports, including:
    • Adaptability and innovation
    • Equitable patient care
    • Preparedness and education
    • Professional safety
    • Sustainability and efficiency
    • Integration and technology
    • Ambulance crash data and statistics
Register Now

Registrants who wish to address the council during the public comment periods can submit comments in writing to NHTSA.NEMSAC@dot.gov by 11:59pm ET on November 8, 2023. Questions and comments for the Council may also be presented using the live chat feature.

NHTSA is committed to providing equal access to this meeting for all program participants. Persons with disabilities in need of accommodation should send their request to Clary Mole by phone at (202) 868-3275 or by email to Clary.Mole@dot.gov no later than November 8, 2023. A sign language interpreter and closed captioning services can be provided through the WebEx virtual meeting platform upon request.

Welcome the Newest NEMSAC Members

The NEMSAC consists of 25 members of the EMS community who represent different aspects of the profession, appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation for two-year terms. Below are the latest appointments and the areas of the EMS community they represent.

Air Medical EMS – Evelyn Byers, MBA, BSN, RN
State Highway Safety – Bradley Estochen, MS, PTOE, PE, EMT
EMS Educators – Daniel Gerard, MS, RN, NRP
EMS Quality Improvement – Mike Taigman, MA
EMS Medical Director – Brandon Morshedi, MD, DPT, NREMT-P, FACEP, FAEMS
Emergency Management – Frank Quintero, DO, MBA, FACEP
Emergency Nurse – Tabitha Vaughn, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
Emergency Physicians – Kendall McKenzie, MD
Fire-based EMS – Corey Christine Condren, MPA, PMDC
State EMS Director – Justin Romanello, MHS, NRP
Pediatric Emergency Physician – Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH
Private EMS – Michael Thomas, DrPH, MHA, FACPE, NREMT
PSAP Call-takers/Dispatcher (911) – Casey Quintard, BA, EMDQ, ENP
Volunteer EMS – Wade Miles, ABA, NRP

Read More

FICEMS DEIA Statement Now Available

Highlighting Key Commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

With this reinforced dedication, FICEMS can better achieve and enhance the EMS mission for all persons. FICEMS’ newly released Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) document serves not only as a declaration of FICEMS’ core values but also as a foundational roadmap for agencies looking to improve their emergency medical services.

The EMS Agenda 2050 outlines a socially equitable EMS system that ensures quality and accessible care for all, irrespective of any social determinants. Achieving this vision requires a collective and sustained effort. The DEIA statement from FICEMS marks a significant step in this direction, underlining the organization’s firm commitment to a diverse and inclusive EMS landscape.

Agencies are encouraged to review the new DEIA statement as a guiding resource for aligning their practices with these crucial principles.

Read the FICEMS DEIA Statement

For more information on the work FICEMS is doing to support federal collaboration in an effort to improve EMS across the nation, visit the FICEMS resources page on ems.gov.

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