T h e P u l s eT h e P u l s eT h e P u l s eT h e P u l s e A Newsletter by and for the Employees of Charles County Emergency Medical Services

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 11

NOVEMBER 2008 A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF BY: CH IEF F ILER

Inside This Issue:Inside This Issue:Inside This Issue:Inside This Issue: Training Training Training Training pg.2pg.2pg.2pg.2

Health and SafetyHealth and SafetyHealth and SafetyHealth and Safety pg.4pg.4pg.4pg.4

Winner’s Circle pg.5Winner’s Circle pg.5Winner’s Circle pg.5Winner’s Circle pg.5

RecognitionRecognitionRecognitionRecognition pg.6 pg.6 pg.6 pg.6

From the CountyFrom the CountyFrom the CountyFrom the County pg.7 pg.7 pg.7 pg.7

GalleryGalleryGalleryGallery pg. 8 pg. 8 pg. 8 pg. 8

CalendarCalendarCalendarCalendar pg.10 pg.10 pg.10 pg.10

It is common knowledge that our cul-ture as emergency services workers is not programmed with many “healthy” hab-its. Despite our classifica-tion as “healthcare” provid-ers we have often found ourselves at Five Guys with a greasy cheese burger in one hand and an oversized bag of piping hot deep fried french fries in the other. Wash that down with an extra large diet coke and a cigarette and we have lunch. Unfortunately for us the high paced, heavy stressed job and lifestyle we have dedi-cated ourselves to do not allow for steamed veggie platters, chi tea, fruit sorbets and yoga breaks. Not that any of us would engage in these types of activities given the chance anyway, that’s just not who we are.

It is because we are who we are and we live in the drive through line of the fast lane that I am happy to announce beginning the first week of December our Department will begin NFPA 1582 compliant employee physicals. While some of you may feel that this may be an inconvenient, unnecessary intrusion into your personal life; its not. All physicals are strictly confidential be-tween the employee and the occupa-tional health physician, held at mobile lab on your work day and free to each

employee. This is a benefit service that is a national stan-dard for fire department personnel as heart at-tacks and heart related emergencies are the number one killers of emergency service work-ers.

Each physical will include a review of your known health problems, such as major illnesses, surger-ies, medication use, and a l l e r g i e s .

A physical examination will follow A physical examination will follow A physical examination will follow A physical examination will follow and include the following:and include the following:and include the following:and include the following:

(1) Vital signs

(2) Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat (HEENT)

(3) Neck

(4) Cardiovascular

(5) Pulmonary

(6) Breast

(7) Gastrointestinal (includes rectal exam for mass, occult blood)

(8) Genitourinary (includes pap smear, testicular exam, rectal exam for prostate mass)

“The only way to keep your health is to eat

what you don't want,

drink what you don't

like, and do what you'd

rather not. “

Mark Twain

(1835 (1835 (1835 (1835 ---- 1910) 1910) 1910) 1910)

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A MESSAGE FROM THE OFF ICE OF THE CHIEF, CONT INUED

(9) Hernia

(10) Lymph nodes

(11) Neurological

(12) Musculoskeletal

(13) Skin (includes screening for cancers)

(14) Vision testing

Laboratory tests will include the following:

Blood tests including the following:Blood tests including the following:Blood tests including the following:Blood tests including the following:

(a) CBC with differential, RBC indices and mor-phology, and platelet count

(b) Electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, HCO3, or CO2)

(c) Renal function (BUN, creatinine)

(d) Glucose

(e) Liver function tests (ALT, AST, direct and indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase)

(f) Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, clinically useful lipid ratios (e.g., percent LDL), and triglycerides

(2) Urinalysis. Dipstick test for glucose, ketones, leukocyte esterase, protein, blood, and bilirubin.

(3) Audiology. Hearing assessed in each ear at each of the following frequencies:

500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz, 6000 Hz, and 8000 Hz.

(4) Spirometry.

(5) Chest radiography. Chest X-ray posterior-anterior and lateral views.

(6) Electrocardiograms (EKG). A resting 12-lead EKG.

A list of titers and immunizations is also available to each employee free of charge.

Believe it or not this program works and is de-signed with your health and longevity in mind. I want each person to go home safe after each shift and retire with the rest of us at 10200 La Plata Road.

I’m happy to re-port that one employee has already been saved by this

benefit

Live long and prosper!

TRAINING NOTES

Lt. Jones

The Charles County ALS Educa-tion Program will be holding an ACLS Refresher class on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. The class will be held at the Radio Sta-tion Rd Academy (old MFRI Train-ing Ctr). Please contact Marie Ragano by email at cake-lady60@comcast.net or by phone a t 3 0 1 - 8 9 3 - 2 8 7 0 .

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Join Us For a Good Cause!

On Monday, November 10th, Ledo Pizza of Wal-dorf will be donating a portion of the evening’s carry out and dine in sales to the Weiss Family in hopes of sending them to Disney World for the holidays! Adam Weiss, Assistant Chief of Charles County’s Tactical Response Team and a Capitol Police Ser-geant, lost his wife Debbie to cancer on October 1st. The fund raiser will benefit Sgt. Weiss and his two small children. Where: Ledo Pizza in Waldorf Date: Monday, November 10th, 2008 Time: 5-9pm

We hope you can join us!

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From the Office of Health and Safety Extracted from the Oct. 17 safety brief of Mike Morgan, ES Safety

Officer

Well the weather is changing and it is getting cooler. Those of us with fireplaces will be getting some use from them. Do you know about chimney fires? The signs of and what to do if you experience a chimney fire? Here is some valuable information that may save your property and your life.

Most chimney fires happen for one simple reason: improper use and care of wood-burning appli-ances like fireplaces and wood-stoves. Chimney fires are often dramatic events, with flames and cinders leaping high enough to come to the attention of neighbors and passersby, but they're not all like this. They can burn quietly and slowly if they aren't being fed by air or fuel. These "sleeper" fires are no less dangerous than the more visibly dra-matic ones. They still reach high temperatures and can damage the chimney and nearby combustible parts of the house. The heat can be so intense that it can actually pick the mortar out from between bricks or stones.

How do I know if my chimney is on fire? Good question, you will usually hear a roaring sound. Some people describe it as sounding like a freight train or a low-flying airplane. This is typically the first indication of a chimney fire. If you hear this sound and it's growing louder, you should suspect that there's a fire raging in your chimney. Large clouds of black smoke and sparks pouring out the top of your chimney are other indications. If it's a big fire, flames can leap several feet above the top of the chimney.

1) Call 911 and get everyone out of the house and meet in your predetermined gathering point.

2) Grab your fire extinguisher (you do have one, right?). Open the door to the fireplace or stove just enough so you can insert the extinguisher's nozzle. Shoot the contents of the entire canister inside and shut the door. You don't want to use water. It could make things worse by causing more steam and gas

to enter the chimney, which could crack or warp it.

3) Close the damper or the air inlet controls to the fireplace or stove. This will limit air supply and reduce the fire's intensity.

4) Go outside. If the water to your hose connections is still turned on, wet down the roof and the area around your house. This will lessen the chances of sparks igniting other combustibles like shrubs and trees. Keep the water away from the chimney—wetting down a hot chimney could cause it to crack or even collapse

5) Don't go back inside your home until the fire de-partment tells you it's safe to do so. When you do, don't be surprised if things don't look too good. A large chimney fire can dump a ton of smoke and soot inside.

If you have a chimney fire, don't use your fireplace or woodstove until you've had a professional such as a fire-place or woodstove installer or a chimney sweep come out and inspect the chimney. Chimney fires can cause a lot of damage to the chimney structure, in-cluding cracks and holes in the chimney wall, the flue, the flue pipe, and the flue liner. If the damage isn't repaired, any subsequent fires could move beyond the flue and engulf adjoining areas.

Most of this can be avoided by performing yearly cleaning of your chimney. Have this done by a pro-fessional. Usually they will inspect your chimney for problems during the cleaning process. REMEM-BER!!! NEVER USE GASOLINE OR KEROSENE TO START A FIRE.

Keep warm this Fall and Winter and stay

safe.

Ok, I think my chim-ney is on fire!!!

What should I do? Call the fire depart-ment. The fire might be out before they arrive, but it's a good idea to call them anyway.

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We have a celebrity among us! Con-gratulations to Lt. Dave Higgins

who is the Ford Fun Weekend $5k Challenge Champion for 2008! Lt. Higgins raced in the Ford $5k Series with a 1986 Mustang GT. The $5k means that the field is limited to cars with values of $5,000.00 or less. Lt. Higgins’ car was bought in pieces for $500.00 by Chris Wells. With a lot of elbow grease and a final investment of $2,600.00, Lt. Higgins tailored the Mustang to Atlanta, Richmond and Bristol before claiming victory by point accumulation for the series. Since the cars are so limited, this win is a testament to the driver’s talent. American Autosports Productions is the sanction-ing body for the Fun Ford Weekend Drag Racing Series. Fun Ford Weekend is an organization de-veloped 18 years ago by Ford enthusiasts special-izing in the promotion of ford drag racing and events. Fun Ford Weekend Event take place at the nation’s prime Ford markets, with 10 events in 2008. AAP has 14 classes to compete in, with rules designed to ensure a level playing field for all. Congratula-tions Dave Higgins, #224!

Fun Ford Weekend announced their 2008 Champions and other special award winners at the season ending ban-quet on Sept. 9, 2008 at the conclusion of the 17th annual Ford world finals.

Photo: Media Center, funfordevents.com

CCEMS Congratulates a Champion!

Dave Higgins, #224

Looking sharp station 12!

Photo courtesy M. Mycka

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SPALDING RECOGNIZED FOR TOP-NOTCH SERVICE

Andrew C. Spalding (Public Safety Dispatcher II, ES) was nominated for the Mary-land Emergency Numbers Association (MENA) and Emergency Numbers Board (ENSB) Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication. Spalding was honored at the MENA/ENSB “Day of Celebration” event on Wednes- day, September 17, 2008, highlighting the professional ser-vice provided by Telecommunicators that provide 9-1-1 service in Maryland. Spalding obtained certification as an Emergency Medi- cal Dispatcher on June 5, 2006, and as a Certified Train-ing Officer on March 4, 2008. As a Certified Training Officer, Spalding helps to train and mentor new person-nel assigned to his shift. He has also attended numer- ous Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Training classes to increase his knowledge base. Spalding’s award nomination let-ter cited examples of his responsive service. On June 28, 2008, Spalding an-swered a 9-1-1 call or a 94-year-old person who was choking and turning cyanotic. Spalding followed the EMD protocol for a choking victim and, as a result of Spal-ding’s intervention, the patient did not need to be transported via ambulance. Spal-ding’s demonstration of skills along with his devotion to duty have distinguished him above his peers at the Charles County Public Safety Answering Point. GREAT JOB ANDREW for achieving this prestigious honor!

.

Story and picture by William Frazier, Assistant Chief of Communications

QUIZ OF THE MONTH: To medevac a Category “C” or “D” trauma patient, with whom do we consult?

Christmas Money!!!! Act quickly to submit your Annual Leave Sell-Back Request From!

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CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

….of doing the right thing

I SPY

Photo courtesy Ann Damon

10-23-08 Crystal Monday “save”- an apneic overdose Dave Sanders patient with a pulse– a “code” Lou Ramer avoided! Paul Balta

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Mark Your Calendars….

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 Christ-mas Eve

25 26 County Holiday

27

28 29 30 31

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1

2 3 4 Elec-tion Day

5 6 7 8

9 10 Weiss benefit Ledos

11 Veteran’s Day

12 13 14 Defen-sive Driv-ing class

15 ACLS recert

16 17 18 19 -Flu shots -SkyWarn class

20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 Thanksgiv-ing Day

28 29

30

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Charles County Department of

Emergency Services

P.O. Box 2150

LaPlata, MD 20646

Questions or Newsletter Submissions:

E. Campbell, EMS Lt.

Phone: 301-399-8156

E-mail: CampbelE@charlescounty.org

Mission Statement

The mission of Charles County Government is to provide our citizens the highest quality service possible in a timely, efficient, and courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our government must be operated in an open and accessible atmosphere, be based on compre-

hensive long- and short-term planning, and have an appropriate managerial organization tempered by fiscal responsibility.

Vision Statement

Charles County is a place where all people thrive and businesses grow and prosper; where the preservation of our heritage and environ-ment is paramount; where government services to its citizens are provided at the highest level of excellence; and where the quality of

life is the best in the nation.

ANSWER TO QUIZ: As of 10-07-2008, we must consult with the receiving trauma center for helicopter dispatch.

Mission Statement CCEMS

It is the mission of the Charles County Department of Emergency Services, EMS Division to provide superior quality emergency medical

support to the citizens of Charles County, Maryland and requesting jurisdictions.

Vision Statement CCEMS

With well-trained, capable and professional personnel; The Charles County Department of Emergency Services, EMS Division will pro-vide the best premium quality of preventative and emergency care in the fastest, most efficient and cost effective manor possible to the citizens of Charles County, Maryland and requesting jurisdictions. It is the goal of the Charles County Emergency Services, EMS Divi-

sion to be at the vanguard of pre-hospital emergency care.