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

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF

BY: CHIEF FILER

Inside This Issue:Inside This Issue:Inside This Issue:Inside This Issue:

TrainingTrainingTrainingTraining pg.2

New EmployeesNew EmployeesNew EmployeesNew Employees pg.3

Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays pg.4

TRTTRTTRTTRT pg. 5

I am very pleased to announce the

formation of the Charles County Ma-

rine Unit, a collaborative effort of the

Charles County Sheriff’s Office and

the Charles County Department of

Emergency Services. The newly

formed Marine Unit will be a multi-

disciplinary unit that will leverage and

blend existing resources and capabili-

ties to form a unique maritime re-

sponse group comprised of respond-

ers who are fully equipped, trained

and qualified to respond to a broad

spectrum of maritime incidents. The

focus will be on the detection, pre-

vention and response to actions

predicated by potential maritime se-

curity threats/incidents. In addition,

members of the Marine Unit will pro-

vide other services such as protection

of important infrastructure, aggres-

sive enforcement of boating laws and

response to maritime emergencies.

The concept of collaboration and

making use of existing resources for

the purpose of standing up this new

unit was so well received at both the

Federal and State levels; the unit has

been almost entirely funded by grants

and private sector contributors. As

part of the State’s Maritime Tactical

Operations Group (MTOG), the Marine

Unit will work closely with the

“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to

collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”

Charles DarwinCharles DarwinCharles DarwinCharles Darwin

Volume 4, Issue 8

August 2010

Maryland Natural Resources Police

(NRP), the US Coast Guard and nu-

merous other jurisdictions and agen-

cies in the National Capital Re-

gion. The level of professional diver-

sity held in the participants being wel-

comed into the Marine Unit brings

talents and expertise from a truly all-

hazards stand point. Because of this

unique factor it is being looked at as a

national model and something to be

proud of.

Emergency Services role in this joint

venture will be to provide Tactical

Emergency Medical Services, Tactical

Boat Operators and Tactical Divers/

Rescue Swimmers. Will be working

side by side with Sheriff’s Office per-

sonnel to accomplish the mission at

hand, sharing the same training,

equipment and uniforms. Application

for team membership will be opening

soon. The application process will be

comprised of several elements, a per-

formance file review, a practical swim

examination and a verbal interview

board. Spaces will be limited and

reserved for those personnel who

successfully pass each step of the

process. I invite and encourage each

interested person to apply and hope-

fully be part of what will be an excit-

ing new partnership service.

Quality of Care Through Excellence in Service Page 3

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In celebration of our Department's 10-Year Anniversary (July 2011), some folks

have opined that they would like to see a "Pictorial Directory" published

(among other things). Would anyone be interested in serving on a Directory

Committee? If so please contact Ginger Barnes or Lt. Campbell who are leading

this committee.

For more information on this Pictorial Directory please double click on the link

below:

http://www.excaliburmktg.com/Pictorial%20Directories.html

Welcome New Employees!

Please welcome the following new members to our EMS family:

Ryan Cleckley, Paramedic

Lindsay Cox, EMT-B

Kevin Reilly

PYRAMID 2010

Pyramid Tri-County EMS Conference “Keeping Current in the World of EMS”

October 7-10, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Select Solomons

For brochure and registration form, please see MIEMSS website www.miemss.org

Presented by: The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and the Emergency Education Council of

Region V, Inc. Hosted by: Charles County Association of EMS

Sponsored by: Calvert County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association St. Mary’s County Rescue Squad Association

Quality of Care Through Excellence in Service Page 4

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Rhonda Clark 8-3

Ann Damon 8-4

Laurie Jameson 8-10

Lou Ramer 8-17

Pam Gantt 8-17

Charlie Ramsey 8-21

Rachel Radke 8-22

County Administrator Ride Along

On aug. 2, 2010, Dr. Bridgett did a ride along

with 16B. Initially slated from 1300-1600, Dr.

Bridgett did one station visit, a PIS call then

got stuck on back to back calls and was on a

unit for almost 5 hours! She didn’t get back to

her vehicle until 1945. Dr. Bridgett saw a va-

riety of patients, including a pri. 1 CVA that

went straight to CT, and she was able to see

the stroke center in action. Dr. Bridgett was a

very good sport about her late day, and wrote

a thank you to the Department, stating that she

had an “enlightening afternoon”, and wrote

that she was “proud to be a member of our

team”. Photo: B. Voorhaar, CCSO

Quality of Care Through Excellence in Service

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Another Cat Hoarding House in Charles Another Cat Hoarding House in Charles Another Cat Hoarding House in Charles Another Cat Hoarding House in Charles County Turns Hazmat IncidentCounty Turns Hazmat IncidentCounty Turns Hazmat IncidentCounty Turns Hazmat Incident

QUIZ OF THE MONTH:

What is the number to the Maryland Poison Control Center?

The Charles County Tactical Response Team (TRT)

responded with Charles County Animal Control Offi-

cers (ACO’s) and Charles County Sheriff’s Office

Detectives to assist with operations connected to a

suspected cat hoarding house. ACO’s and the

Sheriff’s Office were requested to check on the

welfare of several felines allegedly being kept in

neglect at a home in Bryans Road, MD. Due to the

hazardous levels of ammonia levels being found at

these types of properties, hazmat assets are often

requested to assist with initial metering and venti-

lation operations until the atmosphere is deter-

mined to be within the safe working levels as de-

termined by OSHA. At this incident ammonia lev-

els inside the trailer were detected at over 200

ppm which actually displaced oxygen levels down

to 18%. Once metering and ventilation operations were

completed TRT personnel assisted ACO’s with rescuing the

numerous animals found on the property.

Beware Reed Diffusers Joane Gulvas, CWCP, EMT-B, County Safety Officer

Reed diffusers are liquid air fresheners in a narrow-necked bottle with long “sticks” inserted in to the liquid.

These s reeds absorb scented liquid from the container and release fragrance into the surrounding air. Many

scents are available. Manufacturers range from widely-known consumer brands to small boutique producers.

There are also recipes on the web for making your own air fresheners for use in reed diffusers.

The opening at the top is narrow, but not too narrow for a child to take a swig or spill the contents. Ingredi-

ents vary, but two common ingredients can be dangerous to a child who swallows them.

Some reed diffuser fragrances contain up to 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. This is the same thing as rubbing

alcohol. Swallowing this can cause vomiting and make a child extremely drowsy.

Essential oils (e.g. lavender oil, eucalyptus oil) are also common ingredients. Swallowing these can cause

drowsiness, tremors or seizures, stomach upset, and mouth irritation. Isopropyl alcohol and essential oils can

also cause skin and eye irritation. There is a danger that the long slender sticks could cause injury, too.

If you use air fresheners, they must be in a sealed container so that children can’t drink them. If someone

swallows air freshener, call the Poison Center right away at . If air fresheners spill on the skin, rinse with run-

ning water right away. If they splash in the eyes, rinse with running water for at least fifteen minutes. In ei-

ther case, call the Poison Center.

Quality of Care Through Excellence in Service Page 6

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I SPY August 14, 2010:

A letter received by Quality Assurance….

“Jamie Lumpkins and Margie Powers stayed at the hospital to help the ER nurse get an IV started…The nurse at the hospital had trouble trying to get an IV started…Margie and Jamie are my heroes. They were professional at what they were doing and explained everything to me. They both provided great care to me and the service was outstanding. Both medics made my ride and visit to the hospital very outstanding. They are a great team. Please thank them both for me. “

CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

….of doing the right thing

Photo courtesy G. Barnes

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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 Labor Day

7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 First day of fall

24 Topics in Trauma O.C.

25

26 27 28 29 Trauma Care Hagerstown

30

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

1 2 Money Watchers-Govt Bldg

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

Quality of Care Through Excellence in Service Page 8

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Charles County Department of

Emergency Services, EMS Division

P.O. Box 2150

LaPlata, MD

20646

Questions or Newsletter Submissions:

E. Campbell, PIO, 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 comprehensive long- and short-term planning, and have an appropriate mana-

gerial 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 environment 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:

Maryland Poison Center 1 800 222-1222

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