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Our hearts are heavy as we report the passing of Riverside EMS founder and ArAA board member, Robert Fox. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him. Please keep Robert’s family, the Riverside family, and his communities in your thoughts and prayers.
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Updates to Arkansas's Rules for Emergency Medical Services
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See Rules Here
On October 28, 2024, updates were made to Arkansas’s Rules for Emergency Medical Services under the authority of Act 435 of 1975. Key changes include those related to EMS operations, licensing, and mutual aid. Here are some of the highlights:
• Licensing Requirements
- Ambulance services must ensure all fees and documentation are submitted to Arkansas DOH prior to licenses being issued or renewed. Licenses are contingent on meeting operational standards, personnel requirements, and equipment requirements.
• Patient Transport
- Patients with life-threatening conditions may request transport to facilities beyond the nearest medical center for specialized care.
• Communications
- Changes in efforts to enhance mutual aid responses during mass casualty incidents, including mandatory reporting procedures, radio frequencies, and coordination with the ECC and local responders have been made.
• Documentation & Reporting
- Ambulance services are required to notify receiving facilities in advance and provide patient encounter forms within 24 hours of patient transfer.
• Specialized Care & Air Ambulance Services
- Standards for air ambulance services have been clarified noting personnel and equipment requirements along with medical oversight for non-specialty care air transport.
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ArAA Featured Members - AAA Stars of Life Visit 2024 Archives - Stars of Life to read more about many ArAA members nominated as American Ambulance Association Stars of Life.
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Final 2024 National EMS Advisory Council Meeting Recap
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The recent November 2024 meeting of the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) held November 6-7 in Washington, D.C. highlighted updates and discussions on critical topics in EMS. The meeting provided insights into broader EMS trends, such as pandemic response, workforce challenges, and evolving patient care models. Key topics included: - Adaptability in EMS practices
- Equitable patient care
- Integration of Advanced Technology
- Behavioral health in EMS
- Federal initiatives such as those from the NHTSA
- Emerging challenges
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OSHA Emergency Response Rulemaking
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The proposed rule by OSHA released this year with the
intention of being finalized in 2025 is part of an effort to update the
Emergency Response Standard and aims to improve safety protections for
emergency responders, including EMS personnel, firefighters, and search and
rescue teams. This rule would revise the existing Fire Brigades Standard (29
C.F.R. 1910.156) to extend its coverage to additional groups of emergency
responders, such as those in EMS and technical rescue roles.
Highlights of the proposed rule include: - Expanded Coverage to include EMS, search, and
rescue functions
- Alignment with current safety and operations
standards such as those in the National Fire Protection Association
- Enhanced health and safety measures against
wildfire and hazardous material exposures
- Volunteer fire department exemptions and extension
of implementation timelines
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EMS1 Projects Impact of Trump Presidency on EMS
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On November 6, Greg Friese, MS, NRP, penned an article for EMS1 specific to Trump policies potential impact on EMS. Friese writes, "Based on Trump’s previous term and the campaign trail promises from Trump and his surrogates, it is worth considering what a second Trump presidency means for EMS. The centerpieces of Trump’s campaign were tariffs, immigration, taxes and crime, issues that touch every aspect of daily life, in and out of the workplace."
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Mental Wellbeing & First Responders
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'The Shift That Never Ended'
A new FBI documentary explores resilience and support for first responders and calls for agencies to prioritize the mental wellbeing of first responders. The video, featuring interviews with law enforcement professionals, counselors and wellness experts, sheds light on the unique challenges first responders endure — long after their shifts are over.
It highlights firsthand accounts from responders to some of the nation’s most harrowing tragedies, including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida; the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada; and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and calls for agencies to prioritize the mental wellbeing of first responders. The video, featuring interviews with law enforcement professionals, counselors and wellness experts, sheds light on the unique challenges first responders endure — long after their shifts are over. It highlights firsthand accounts from responders to some of the nation’s most harrowing tragedies, including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida; the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada; and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
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JEMS captures How Mental Health and Burnout are Spurring First Responder Compassion Crisis
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Some health care first responders say the profession is experiencing a compassion crisis. Many EMS systems are crumbling as they are not considered an essential service and do not receive federal and state funding, leaving many burnt-out providers struggling to offer what assistance they can. Additionally, agricultural communities continue to struggle with stress and mental health, with NRHA reporting that farmers are three and a half times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. |
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Assistance to Firefighters Grants
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FY 2024 AFGP Update Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The FY 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Notice of Funding Opportunity is now available under Assistance to Firefighters Grants Documents | FEMA.gov The FY 2024 AFG application period opened Nov. 12, 2024 at 9 a.m. ET and closes Dec. 20, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET.
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Arkansas Respiratory Virus Update
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Weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations - Arkansas DHS Report The data is updated by the state weekly and can be accessed here.
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Respiratory Virus - % of Emergency Department Visits - CDC Data The data is updated by the CDC weekly and can be accessed here.
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November 28, 2024 - Happy Thanksgiving!
December 11, 2024 - Arkansas Fire Protection Service Board Monthly Meeting in North Little Rock, AR (Learn More)
December 13, 2024 - Feasibility Study for Certain Health Care Legislation introduced by a member of the General Assembly December 20, 2024 - Assistance Firefighters Grant Application Period Closes (Assistance to Firefighters Grants Documents | FEMA.gov)
December 25, 2024 - Merry Christmas!
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