Tag: Metro West Ambulance

EMS1 | EMS advocacy and adaptability with Shawn Baird

Written by Rob Lawrence on . Posted in AAA HQ, News, Press.

EMS1 Interview of AAA President Shawn Baird by AAA Communications Chair Rob Lawrence

As we enter, hopefully, a happier new year, several of our national associations that have been at the forefront of collaborative advocacy efforts and the voices of the EMS profession have undergone planned changes in their leadership.

To welcome in 2021, I sat down, via Zoom, with Shawn Baird, incoming president of the American Ambulance Association and asked him about 2020 and his thoughts on the future of our industry. Shawn is the vice president for rural services with MetroWest Ambulance Family of Companies in Oregon. Shawn spent the last two years serving the AAA as president elect and has been at the center of AAA activity and advocacy.

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Oregon | President Baird Joins OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

Written by Amanda Riordan on . Posted in Regulatory, State-Level Advocacy.

From the Oregon Department of Human Services on December 31

OHA completes recruitment for COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

27-member group to create sequencing for COVID-19 immunizations

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority has completed recruitment for its Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) that will determine the sequence in which new COVID-19 vaccines are distributed around the state.

The 27-member committee will advise OHA on vaccine sequencing for phases 1b, 1c and 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, with the goal of prioritizing communities most affected by COVID-19. The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee will be grounded in OHA’s definition of health equity, which—as cited in this excerpt—is a health system where “all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.”

To advance health equity, and counter unjust COVID-19 inequities, the COVID-19 VAC will:

  • Advise OHA on the ethical principles that should guide decisions on sequencing of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Review data on COVID-19 and immunization inequities.
  • Advise OHA on which workers, high-risk groups or critical populations should be sequenced at what time, taking into consideration where they are located across the state.

The committee roster is as follows:

Aileen Duldulao

Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition

Cherity Bloom-Miller

Siletz Community Health Clinic

Christine Sanders

Rockwood Community Development Corp.

Daysi Bedolla Sotelo

Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste

DeLeesa Meashintubby

Volunteers in Medicine

Debra Whitefoot

Nch’i Wana Housing

Derick Du Vivier

Oregon Health & Science University

Dolores Martinez

Euvalcree

George Conway

Deschutes County Health Services

Kalani Raphael

Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition

Kelly Gonzales

Portland State University

Kristin Milligan

Community Volunteer Network

Laurie Skokan

Providence Health & Services

Leslie Sutton

Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities

Maleka Taylor

The Miracles Club

Maria Loredo

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

Marin Arreola

Interface Network

Muriel DeLaVergne-Brown

Crook County Health Department

Musse Olol

Somali American Council of Oregon

Nannette Carter-Jafri

SEIU Local 503 Indigenous People’s Caucus

Ruth Gulyas

LeadingAge Oregon

Safina Koreishi

Columbia Pacific CCO

Sandra McDonough

Oregon Business & Industry

Shawn Baird

Metro West Ambulance Service

Sue Steward

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Tsering Sherpa

The Rosewood Initiative

Zhenya Abbruzzese

Adventist Health

“The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee brings tremendous lived and professional experience to guide OHA’s decisions about vaccine sequencing in a way that upholds OHA’s goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030,” said Cara Biddlecom, OHA deputy public health director.

“Members of this committee represent communities that have been unjustly impacted by COVID-19, including tribal communities and communities of color, and OHA is committed to involving community members in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.”

The committee’s first public meeting is Thursday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. The meeting can be accessed via conference line at 669-254-5252; meeting ID: 160 583 9896.

For more information about the committee, visit the Vaccine Advisory Committee information page. Comments or questions can be emailed to covid.vaccineadvisory@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the US response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

EMS Week Featured Service | Metro West Ambulance, Inc.

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in News, Press, Service, Spotlight.

Metro West Ambulance, Inc.
Hillsboro, Oregon
Facebook | Twitter 

Meet Metro West Ambulance, Inc.

Metro West Ambulance Services, Inc. has a history rich in meeting the needs and caring for those we serve from very small rural communities to large urban areas. We’ve had great successes, marked many firsts in our industry, have been a part of the evolution of prehospital care over the decades. Founded in 1953, we have grown from a small base operation in  Forest Grove, Oregon to the largest and oldest continuously owner-operated ambulance service in the Pacific Northwest. Today our Family of Companies has over 900 employees and includes seven licensed ALS ambulance services in Oregon, one licensed ALS ambulance service in northern California, and one brokerage in Oregon serving the Pacific Northwest. Under the guidance of J.D. Fuiten, our founder’s son and our company’s owner and President, Metro West Ambulance has expanded into a Family of Companies serving Oregon, Washington and northern California.  Our companies include Metro West Ambulance, Pacific West Ambulance, Medix Ambulance, Bay Cities Ambulance, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Mid-Valley Ambulance, Del Norte Ambulance and Woodburn Ambulance.

Metro West Ambulance , serving Washington County and the Portland Metro region provides  911 response and a variety of interfacility mobile healthcare services including Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU)  providing ICU RN level Critical Care transport; Secure Transport for behavioral health patients; EMT staffed wheelchair services plus a large event services division serving the largest venues and biggest events in our state.  We also are one of the largest providers of Mobile Integrated Health services with 18 Paramedics working with Oregon’s health systems.

The Metro West Ambulance, Inc. COVID-19 Response

In Oregon, our Governor declared a state of emergency and stay at home orders early on including school and business shut down. This allowed us to flatten the curve earlier as a state. We saw  PPE, decon, patient treatment changes became a daily occurrence; treatment changes; innovation regarding patient care; a deeper closeness with other agencies, sending and receiving hospitals because we were “in it together” and we knew this virus had no mercy and no one was immune. With the quarantine and school shut down came many tough concerns such as  childcare coverage. Crews worry about exposing their family and inadvertently bringing this awfulness home. Staff was impacted by worries about their patients who show signs of the virus, wondering if the patient survived and grieving for those who died. Instituting strict guidelines in and out of the ambulances and physical distancing to protect us all.  As we took on new challenges-we had staff expand their skill set in new roles in mobile integrated health partnering both regionally and across our country creating a virtual hospital to treat hospital patients in their own homes; our EMT’s learned how to do COVID19 testing; others in our industrial medicine division took the lead on temp checks for large employers; we created partnerships in our community that didn’t exist before.  Our Paramedics and EMTs in our 911 system took on new challenges of effectively treating and transporting these patients working with other responding agencies. Together we have learned to track how this virus spreads; to talk about how it is affecting everyone in all departments and most of all, together we continue to make plans knowing that the virus isn’t done with us.

The Metro West Ambulance, Inc. Leadership Perspective

” What sets us apart is that we  keep those we serve first and foremost believing that all communities no matter how small or how large deserve the best regarding mobile healthcare that includes emergency medical services, interfacility mobile healthcare and mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine models. Our people strive everyday to give their communities their best.”

J.D. Fuiten, Metro West Ambulance Services, Inc. , Owner/President

Frontline Voices from Metro West Ambulance, Inc.

“EMS is important because we are there to help people in need. It could be an emergency situation or a non-emergent trip the to the doctor. We care about people and the community and are here to serve.”—Rachael Koran, Operations Supervisor, EMT

“We in EMS are the best chance of survival many patients have when it comes to  sudden catastrophic injuries or illnesses. We’re not hesitant to step forward and do what needs to be done to care for those that need us.”—Jan Lee, Public Information Officer, Hospital Liaison, Paramedic

“When you have people who can no longer help themselves, we’re (EMS) the ones who are there to help them.”—Benjamin Maduell, Communications Center Floor Supervisor, EMT, EMD

How Metro West Ambulance, Inc. Celebrates EMS Week

In this  new era of social distancing, the celebrating is still on-just different.  We want our crews to know how important their work is;  what it means to the communities we serve to know that they are there for them;  and that most of all we value them knowing how hard this pandemic has been on them and their families.

We will be bringing a food cart to our main office with amazing Greek food instead of our traditional outdoor family party & BBQ.  We’ll have our crews text in their orders or pre-order them  for pickup allowing them to enjoy before or during or after shift- at their convenience.  This was our most popular food truck from the past.

Our cities will be doing EMS proclamations for us during their city council meetings that we can either Zoom into and they will also videotape it for us to play for our crews on screens in our crew room.  This will allow them to know that their communities support them.

We especially want to recognize them for the heroes they are….we’ll be setting out huge banners at our work sites with the messaging of “Heroes Work Here” . We’ll be doing social media blasting recognizing them all for what they do. We’ll be doing video messaging to them from our management and executive team thanking them for their service.

We want them all to know just how valued they are, how proud we are of them and how much they mean to all those around them.

40 Under 40: Jenn Ford (Mid-Valley Ambulance – Springfield, OR)

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in 40 Under 40.

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession.
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Jenn Ford
Manager
Mid-Valley Ambulance
Springfield, OR

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Nominated by: Shawn Baird (Metro West Ambulance – Hillsboro, OR)

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Biography:

Jenn started her career in EMS with Charleston Fire department as a volunteer. Soon afterward, Jenn decided to attend an in-house EMR class and received her First Responder certification. Jenn became interested in dispatching and was able to take a dispatching course in Coos Bay, OR. After becoming a Emergency Medical Dispatch certified dispatcher, Jenn began working with Bay Cities Ambulance.

In 2006 when the organization was acquired and there was a lot of transition with our leadership team, Jenn just naturally stepped up to fill the void. Jenn accepted the roll of Dispatch Manager but also accepted other duties to include managing the wheelchair department and becoming an essential part of senior leadership. Jenn also went on to receive her EMT certification.
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Reason for Nomination:

Jenn’s has a strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to her community. When the opportunity for growth presented itself, Jenn accepted the position of Operations Manager for our Eugene/Springfield operation and has led the organization during the process of becoming their own company. Jenn is a vital part of the Metro West family and well deserving of this honor.

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View all of the 2020 Mobile Healthcare 40 Under 40 Honorees

40 Under 40: Tom Krowkowski (Umpqua Valley Ambulance – Roseburg, OR)

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in 40 Under 40.

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession.
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Tom Krowkowski
Operations Manager
Umpqua Valley Ambulance
Roseburg, OR

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Nominated by: Shawn Baird (Metro West Ambulance – Hillsboro, OR)

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Biography:

Tom graduated from high school in Roseburg and went to Umpqua Community College while pursuing his associate degree in music. While studying, Tom was selected to participate in the “Umpqua Singers” and had the honor of traveling with them in 2006 while they traveled across county to deliver the “National Christmas Tree” to Washington, DC. During this trip they played approximately eight venues per day over 30 days. Once arriving in DC, Tom performed for Vice President Dick Cheney and numerous members of congress.

After receiving this associate degree, Tom went to work for Roseburg Forest Products work while learning to do all of the different tasks. While there, Tom had the opportunity to do a ride along with a close family friend who was a career firefighter with Douglas County Fire District #2. Tom was so intrigued after the ride along that while working graveyard shift, he went back to college and completed his EMT certification. Tom continued his education and received additional associate degrees in forensic science and paramedicine. After receiving his paramedic license, Tom went to work for DCFD #2.

In June 2016 DCFD #2 and Metro West Ambulance partnered to provide EMS services to some of Douglas County. In June 201,7 Tom was promoted to Shift Supervisor and stood out for his dedication and high moral standards. In November of 2018, Tom was promoted to Clinical Manager and Assistant Operations Manager.

Due to Tom’s work ethic and high standards he was promoted to Operations Manager and currently oversee’s all the different aspects of Umpqua Valley Ambulance.

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Reason for Nomination:

Umpqua Valley Ambulance is a relatively young, three year old company. Tom is rapidly taking on new responsibilities and his efforts are building a solid foundation for the future of the organization.

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View all of the 2020 Mobile Healthcare 40 Under 40 Honorees

Metro West Ambulance Services in 2020

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Yearbook.

Metro West Ambulance Services
Hillsboro, Oregon
930 Staff | 32 Quarantined in 2020

Metro West Ambulance Services, Inc. has a history rich in meeting the needs & caring for those we serve from very small rural communities to large urban areas. We’ve had great successes, marked many firsts in our industry, have been a part of the evolution of prehospital care over the decades. Founded in 1953, Metro West Ambulance Services, Inc. has grown to become a Family of Companies that includes Metro West Ambulance, Pacific West Ambulance, Medix Ambulance, Bay Cities Ambulance, Mid-Valley Ambulance, Umpqua Valley Ambulance & Woodburn Ambulance who are headquartered in Oregon & Del Norte Ambulance in Northern California. Our companies provide a variety of medical services and transportation levels. All are ALS 911 EMS & ALS/BLS Interfacility Mobile Healthcare providers. Our Family provides medical wheelchair transportation; Mobile Integrated Health (one of the largest programs in the country); ICU RN level Mobile Intensive Care Unit critical care transport team serving Oregon & Washington; Secure Transportation for behavioral health patients. We serve various population bases from 28,000 to over 600,000. We believe every community deserves the best in regards to EMS.

2020 has been the year where our Family of Companies have stood together & have been there for each other facing challenges that despite our decades of experience haven’t faced before. This year has taught us an even greater level of resiliency, tenacity, creativity & determination. We have & we are caring for & transporting critical and stable COVID-19 patients via every level of medical transportation we offer. We partnered to have our MIH crews care for patients in virtual hospitals at home. They’re now starting training to administer Remdesivir. Our state was hit by multiple devastating wildland fires. Our companies did on-site medical support; provided Emergency Medical Dispatching for large & ongoing fires; assisted in evacuating patients from 2 hospitals & helping other hospitals transfer patients; provided around the clock medical standbys caring for our partner fire agencies; assisted with level 3 evacuations to help evacuate non-mobile citizens and those exposed to the hazardous air quality. We assembled multiple COVID-19 testing teams from our companies needed for fire affected areas, homeless shelters, long term care facilities & our communities. All this together!

Congrats to CAAS Accreditations & Recerts

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in News, Operations, Press.

Congratulations to the AAA members who received Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) accreditation or reaccreditation in November and December!

New certifications

  • Superior Air-Ground Ambulance (Elmhurst, IL)

Recertifications

  • Ambucare (Bremen, GA)
  • American Medical Response Central Mississippi (Jackson, MS)
  • American Medical Response, Los Angeles (Irwindale, CA)
  • American Medical Response, San Diego (San Diego, CA)
  • American Medical Response of West Michigan (Grand Rapids, MI)
  • American Medical Response South Mississippi (Gulfport, MS)
  • Lifeguard Ambulance Service (Milton, FL)
  • Metro West Ambulance (Hillsboro, OR)
  • Richmond Ambulance Authority (Richmond, VA)

MetroWest’s JD Fuiten on Mobile Integrated Health

Written by JD Fuiten on . Posted in Patient Care, Reimbursement.

Metro West Ambulance’s Mobile Integrated Heath Program is a leader in the emerging world of community paramedicine and MIH.  The successes in our programs have been centered on the strong relationships we have built with our health system partners.  This partnership allows Metro West Ambulance MIH paramedics to better participate in the longitudinal care of our patients instead of the focused, episodic care of traditional EMS. We have now positioned ourselves as an integral part of the health care team.  The value of an MIH paramedic continues to expand as the skills, tools and knowledge of the paramedic profession as a whole continues to increase.

As the success of the MIH programs across the country continue to prove their value, we look forward to full recognition by CMS as a valuable patient care service that should be recognized outside of the traditional transport fee for service.

JD Fuiten
CEO, Metro West Ambulance
Director, AAA Board
2015 AAA Distinguished Service Award Winner
Hillsboro, OR

MetroWest Takes Highest Honors at Oregon EMS Awards

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Community, News.

Hearty congratulations to AAA member MetroWest, whose employees took top honors at the September 23 Oregon EMS Awards.

Oregon Emergency Medical Services has many outstanding providers, extraordinary acts and meritorious service that are recognized every year.  On Friday evening, September 23rd, at the Oregon EMS Awards Banquet in Bend, Metro West Ambulance Crewmembers, Larry Hornaday, Paramedic and Trish Smith, EMT, were be recognized as the Paramedic and EMT providers of the year for the State of Oregon.

Read the full story on the MetroWest site.

 

 

 

 

2015 AAA Award Winners Announced

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in AMBY, Annual Conference & Tradeshow, Awards, Events.

Awards will be presented at the AAA Annual Conference and Tradeshow Awards Reception on Monday, November 2, 2015. Please join us in congratulating the winners.

J. Walter Schaefer Award

Ron Thackery, American Medical Response

The J. Walter Schaefer Award is given to someone who has positively advanced the industry as a whole. Ron exemplifies this through his tireless efforts to improve the safety of employees and patients, including work on compliance, OSHA, vehicle safety, proper use of personal protective equipment, and ambulance standards.

Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award

Jerry Zapolnik, Formerly of Huron Valley Ambulance

The Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of the first Executive Director of the American Ambulance Association. It recognizes a volunteer leader who has made tremendous long-term impact on the association. Over the course of Jerry’s volunteer tenure with the AAA, he has chaired numerous committees including Education and Data. Most recently, he sat on the AAA Board of Directors as a Region III representative.

President’s Award

Russell Honeycutt, Central EMS

This award is given by the President to an individual volunteer leader who has shown commitment to the advancement of the AAA above and beyond the call of duty. Russell’s work on membership recruitment and outreach in 2015 perfectly exemplifies a volunteer leader championing the great work of the association to both current and prospective members.

Distinguished Service Award

J.D. Fuiten, Metro West Ambulance

This is only the second time that the association has given a distinguished service award. J.D. has given innumerable volunteer hours to the AAA. His financial support of AAA programs and events has no equal, and his outreach to his Members of Congress has helped the AAA gain temporary Medicare relief for the industry.

Partner of the Year Award

National Rural Health Association

The National Rural Health Association is receiving the Partner of the Year Award for its ongoing support of both temporary and permanent Medicare Relief for ambulance services, including Senate 377 and House 745.

AMBY Awards

Industry and Stakeholder Education

Winner | MedStar Mobile Healthcare – MIH Book and Education

Public Relations

Winner | Sunstar/Paramedics Plus – Stay Alert-Stay Alive

Employee Program

Winner | Muskogee County EMS – COACHES Team
Honorable Mention | AMR – LODD Program

Clinical/Quality/Safety

Winner | AMR – Tuberculosis Program
Honorable Mention | Metro West – Just Culture Program

Community Impact

Winner | LifeNet Inc. – Hannah’s Light
Honorable Mention | ProEMS – Overdose Sentinel Program

AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
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Washington, DC 20090-6503
hello@ambulance.org
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