Medic Up! Episode #7 – Aaron Dix – The Greenwood Nursing Home Fire

Medic Up! Episode #7 –  Aaron Dix – Greenwood Nursing Home Fire

This week I’ve got my good friend,  Aaron Dix on the podcast. Aaron comes to the Upstate of South Carolina by way of Hartford Ct. We have very similar experiences in EMS from being brought up through the Exploring program to having solid mentors at very early points in our EMS careers. We share a lot of the same viewpoints and share the same solid knowledge of 80’s & 90’s rap beefs.

Aaron has written several articles for EMS1 that center around the topic of simulation in healthcare. He is currently the Director of Simulation Education at the Greenville Health System Simulation Center. He is a regular speaker at state and National conferences on many topics. He also puts on one helluva 2-day prehospital medicine conference every year. Check out the link below to the Swamp Rabbit Prehospital Medicine Conference. Aaron is still heavily involved in prehospital care as a paramedic and as a firefighter in the Upstate of South Carolina. He does / has done a lot of other stuff too. Too much to type. He’s a part time ninja. He was the back-up pilot of one of the Voltron lion robots in the 80’s. He’s Chuck Norris’s stunt double in Walker Texas Ranger; the list goes on-and-on but I digress.

At approximately 0240 on a freezing February 26th morning, fire was reported at the Greenwood Nursing Home in Hartford Ct. It would later be concluded that a 23-year-old resident who suffered from mental illness set her bed sheets on fire while playing with a butane lighter that another resident gave her earlier that day. The resulting fire and toxic smoke killed 10 residents that morning and 6 others died within the week following the fire.

Aaron was the Medical Incident Commander for this job on that 6°F morning. Listen to him as he recounts what was going through his head while managing this incident. Pearls, pitfalls and lessons learned.

Things you should know:

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Thanks for listening.

Here’s some show notes:

Greenwood Nursing Home Fire

List of Deadly Nursing Home Fires in the USA

Mike Rowe: Safety 3rd

Greenville Health System Simulation Center

Exploring

List of 10 classic 80’s and 90’s rap beefs

GHS Swamp Rabbit Prehospital Medical Conference  Save the Date: 2018 conference dates have been released; May 31st and June 1st with a Laerdal sponsored simulation education pre-conference May 30th.

DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed on the Medic Up! Podcast are those of the individual host and guest (s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the host’s or guest’s employer(s). Any content provided by our guests are of  their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything anywhere. The Medic Up! Podcast is not responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in the podcast series available for listening or reading on this site. The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate, inform and entertain. This podcast series does not constitute other professional advice or services.

Medic Up! Episode #6 – Shawn W. – 2017 Paramedic Graduate & Me

This week is the final week of the “Recent Paramedic Graduate” or whatever I’ve been calling it week-to-week series. I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to these guys and girls as they shared their experiences from medic school and their first few years in the career field.

Shawn stopped by the Medic Up! studios to talk about being a “Baby Medic” who actually has a paramedic card that he has to be  careful with because the ink is still wet. This guy literally walked down the aisle to graduate 100 days prior to recording this episode.

This is probably one of  my favorite episodes to date which is mostly due to the openness and sincerity that Shawn brought to the episode. I have no doubt that Shawn is going to get a lot out of his career choice because it is evident how much he is willing t put into it. If you’re a student going through school I am sure you can relate to much of what Shawn talks about.

Thank you, guys, for listening. We passed 1,000 downloads this past week which is 999 more than I thought that I’d ever get. If you keep listening, I’ll keep creating.

I am always open to suggestions as to what or who you want to hear. Contact Medic Up! by leaving a comment or messaging us on Facebook by searching for @Medic.Up.Podcast.

-Chris

DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed on the Medic Up! Podcast are those of the individual host and guest (s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the host’s or guest’s employer(s). Any content provided by our guests are of  their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything anywhere. The Medic Up! Podcast is not responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in the podcast series available for listening or reading on this site. The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate, inform and entertain. This podcast series does not constitute other professional advice or services.

Medic Up! Podcast Episode #5 – Kirstin (Not Kristen) 2012 Paramedic Graduate

Kirstin (not Kristen) is the EMS Veteran of the group having just completed her 5th year in EMS practice. She sits down to share some insights of being a very young student  paramedic with very little life experience, progressing through paramedic school and being a new medic in a busy system. She started EMT school, taking the “Zero – to – Hero” route right out of high school and becoming a medic at 20 years old; effectively putting her in a position where she can administer narcotics but not buy a drink at the bar!

We talk about mentors, waiting 5 years to cardiovert a patient in the field, goal setting to  progress though an EMS career and that stomach butterfly / flip-flop thing when the tones drop.

If you’ve been listening to the series I think you can easily draw parallels between each of these “new” medics who shared similar experiences coming up in EMS. I think you can hear the difference between the 2 year medic vs the 5 year medic.  In the next and final episode in the “Recent Paramedic Graduate” series we will hear from a brand – spanking – new paramedic in the middle of his survival year. He’s straight forward and honest about his journey and I know you guys will dig it. Stick around!

-Chris

DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed on the Medic Up! Podcast are those of the individual host and guest (s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the host’s or guest’s employer(s). Any content provided by our guests are of  their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything anywhere. The Medic Up! Podcast is not responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in the podcast series available for listening or reading on this site. The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate, inform and entertain. This podcast series does not constitute other professional advice or services.

Responder Solutions Group Receives Recognized Educational Content Approval from the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care

Responder Solutions Group was recently approved as a Recognized Educational Content provider by the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care. This means that RSG pledges to abide by the Committee for Tactical Emergency Care Principles of Guidelines Instruction.
 
from the C-TECC Principles of Guidelines Instruction:
 
As an educational entity that is recognized to be in accordance with the C-TECC Principles of Guidelines Instruction by the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, we agree to:
 
1. Provide instructors that are qualified to instruct the Guidelines to the appropriate scope of practice and approved medical protocols of the student.
 
2. Provide TECC instructors and consulting personnel that are accurate, current and up-to-date with the Guidelines.
 
3. Instruct the education of the Guidelines without altering the inherent procedure, intent or purpose.
 
4. Instruct the operational application of the Guidelines without altering the inherent procedure, intent or purpose.
5. Allow for student feedback and incorporate that back into future courses as appropriate
 
6. No misrepresentation of the intent or proper application of the Guidelines in any way.
 
7. No attribution of the Committee’s approval or endorsement in any way to any specific product or company.
 
The Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care does not endorse any training organization or program, but will recognize those educational partners who agree to utilize the guidelines, as written, without change to the language, scope, or intent contained within
 
Responder Solutions Group looks forward to presenting this lifesaving information and accompanying skills in accordance with the Principles of Guidelines Instruction set by the
Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care.

3 “Legit” Bleeding Control Courses for the General Public

Public Access Hemorrhage (bleeding) control is SLOWLY gaining ground. Stop the Bleed campaigns are popping up as “add-ons” in already established Hands-Only CPR events, yearly Run, Hide, Fight! training and as standalone just-in-time training.  Is one course better than the others? Which one meets your needs or expectations?  While each of these courses present basically the same concepts and principles which is: you can save a life if you learn a few simple skills. Another common mantra is: nobody should bleed to death.

Continue reading for an overview of 3 courses that are rapidly gaining popularity, decide which one is  right for:

  • You
  • Your family
  • Your faith based organization
  • Your workplace
  • Your youth group

Click Here to contact Responder Solutions Group to schedule a course and let our experienced instructors get you Ready to Train and Trained to be Ready!

 FEMA: Until Help Arrives

  • Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast. Emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You Are the Help Until Help Arrives.

 

  • When someone experiences a life-threatening emergency, the first care they can get can be the difference between life and death. In fact, you never know when you might find yourself in a situation where someone, a stranger perhaps, needs immediate medical help for a life-threatening injury. You are the most important help available to someone with a serious, life-threatening injury.

GOAL: The overall goal of this course is to teach participants basic skills to keep people with Life                        threatening injuries alive until professional help arrives.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Use simple and effective skills to save lives.
  • Communicate with 9-1-1 operators effectively.
  • Act to protect the injured from further harm.
  • Position the injured.
  • Stop life-threatening bleeding.
  • Provide emotional support.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE AND SIZE:

  • Teens and Adults with limited or no first aid training; it is recommended that there be at least 1 instructor for every 15 students.

 COURSE LENGTH:

  • Approximately 3 hours.

COURSE OUTLINE

The course includes six topics along with a Welcome and a Conclusion. Each topic uses a mix of lecture, group activity, multimedia presentations, demonstrations, and practical exercises.

  • Topic 1: You Make a Difference – Participants learn about the critical role they play in the emergency medical response system, discuss why people act, and learn about how their minds and bodies may respond under stress.

 

  • Topic 2: Call 9-1-1 – Participants learn how to effectively communicate with a 9-1-1 operator.

 

  • Topic 3: Stay Safe – Participants learn how to assess a life-threatening situation and how to move the injured away from further harm.

 

  • Topic 4: Stop the Bleeding – Participants learn how to apply pressure and use a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

 

  • Topic 5: Position the Injured – Participants learn proper positioning techniques for those who are conscious and unconscious.

 

  • Topic 6: Provide Comfort – Participants learn about providing physical and emotional comfort to the injured.

 

  • Before You Go: Prepare to Help – Participants learn about resources and additional training available to them.

 

Stop the Bleed:

bleedingcontrol.org / American College of Surgeons / NAEMT & Partners

 

 

  • No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood loss. Those nearest to someone with life threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care.

 

  • Launched in October of 2015 by the White House, Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and a call to action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. According to a recent National Academies of Science study, trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans under age 46.

 

 

Partners:  

  • American College of Surgeons, the Committee on Trauma, and the Hartford Consensus
  • Combat Casualty Care Research Program
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • The Hartford
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Major Cities Chiefs Police Association
  • National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Tactical Combat Casualty Care
  • US. Department of Defense
  • US. Fire Administration

 

GOAL:  Our shared goal is to provide you with a one-stop, online resource to credible information on                 bleeding control. We hope you will never need to use this information, but if you do, at least                 you will have the assurance that the information is credible and timely.

  •  Today we live in a world where terrorism, the actions of unstable people, and the dangerous impulses of friends and relatives are very real and becoming increasingly more frequent.

 

  • Massive bleeding from any cause, but particularly from an active shooter or explosive event where a response is delayed can result in death. Similar to how the general public learns and performs CPR, the public must learn proper bleeding control techniques, including how to use their hands, dressings, and tourniquets. Victims can quickly die from uncontrolled bleeding, within five to 10 minutes.

 

  • However, anyone at the scene can act as immediate responder and save lives if they know what to do. BleedingControl.org supports President Barack Obama’s policy directive for national preparedness (Presidential Policy Directive 8), which targets preparedness as a shared responsibility of the government, the private and nonprofit sectors, and individual citizens.

 

  • bleedingcontrol.org is an initiative of the American College of Surgeons and the Hartford Consensus and contains diagrams, news, videos, and other resources contributed by a variety of other private and nonprofit partners to help prepare you in the event you are witness to one of these unspeakable events.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of ensuring your own safety
  • Communicate with 911 operators effectively
  • Locate a bleeding injury
  • Apply pressure to stop a bleeding injury
  • Properly apply an arterial tourniquet
  • Effectively Pack a wound with gauze or a clean cloth.
  • Use simple and effective skills to save lives.

 TARGET AUDIENCE & SIZE:

  • Teens / Young adults / Adults with limited or no first aid training.
  • It is recommended that there be at least 1 instructor for every 9 students.

 COURSE LENGTH:

  • 5 – 3 hours

 COURSE OUTLINE:

  • Introduction
  • Primary Principles of Trauma Care Response
  • The ABCs of Bleeding
  • Ensure Your Own Safety
  • A – Alert – call 9-1-1
  • B – Bleeding
  • C – Compress
  • Covering the wound with a clean cloth and applying pressure
  • Using a tourniquet,
  • Wound Packing (stuffing) the wound with gauze
  • Summary

 

First Care Provider

GOAL: to improve our communities’ resilience to disaster. While traditional response to natural                           disasters and active violence will always be reactive, we’ve created a system to empower                         people before, during and immediately after a traumatic event.

Our Mission:

To serve the public by raising awareness of the need for civilian response to disaster, and to create an integrated network of individuals and communities empowered to ensure not another civilian life is lost from a preventable cause of death as a result of trauma.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

RACE2Safety!

  • React! – to the threat! Run, Hide, Fight!
  • Activate! – Your emergency system
  • CARE™!
    • Control Bleeding -direct pressure / TQ
    • Airway – recovery position
    • Respirations – cover open chest wounds
    • Exposure – control heat loss
  • Evacuate! – Evacuate to rescue

 TARGET AUDIENCE & SIZE:

  • Teens / Young adults / Adults with limited or no first aid training.
  • Not published on website. My personal  recommendation is at least 1 instructor for every 9 students.

 COURSE LENGTH:

Approximately 2.5 – 3 hrs?

COURSE OUTLINE:

**Unable to find a published outline at the time of this writing**