A publication of the Arkansas EMT Association

James Gregory, the funniest man in America, will entertain attendees  EMS 2009 at the Hot Springs Convention Center July 29, 2009. The event will feature a pre-show reception at 8 p.m. with the performance at 9 p.m. It’s part of Beef Stew for the Brain, a fundraiser for the Arkansas Ambulance Association scholarship program that provides financial support to individuals seeking EMT and paramedic certification.

Tickets are $20 and include hors d’oeuvres, a souvenir T-shirt, preferred seating and a chance to win door prizes. Learn more and pre-order your tickets at the Arkansas Ambulance Association Web site at www.aaaintouch.com. Or click here to download a printable flyer to post on your bulletin boards at work.

Are you prepared?

The Arkansas EMT Association (AEMTA) will offer the Passenger Train Emergency Response (PTER) course at the EMS 2009 Conference in Hot Springs. The course will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.

The course is taught by AMTRAK manager of emergency preparedness Charlie Cox, and is designed to better prepare firefighters and law enforcement agents safely respond to railroad emergencies. Click here to view a one-sheet handout with all the information you need about this important course offering.

Contact KC Jones at kcjones@northark.edu for more information about the course, including registration details.

AEMTA EMS Conference 2009 will be held July 30 - Aug. 2, 2009 in Hot Springs. You can learn more about the conference and register online at http://www.aemta.org/conference.

Robert Galligher, 2009 Star of Life Recipient

Robert Galligher, Arkansas & NREMT-Paramedic #15484, one of eleven stars of life submitted, was chosen the 2009 Arkansas Star of Life by the Arkansas Ambulance Association. He represented Arkansas at the national Stars of Life in Washington, DC in May.

Robert became a paramedic sixteen years ago, graduating from North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas. He joined the Vital Link team on February 1, 2006 after a stellar 13 years at North Arkansas Medical Center EMS. Robert was soon given a chance to advance his career with an opportunity to become a Vital Link Clinical Supervisor. He eagerly accepted the challenge and the additional responsibilities at Vital Link’s Clinton base on September 1, 2006. He has devoted himself to representing Vital Link effectively and in forming working relationships with fire departments, the rescue squad, Ozark Health Medical Center and numerous other local agencies.

Robert is dedicated to EMS education and the advancement of Arkansas EMS. He serves as Vital Link’s Education Coordinator teaching annual refresher classes, as well as numerous continuous education classes. Robert is an American Heart Association Regional Faculty and participates fully in all American Heart activities.

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The Arkansas EMS Foundation Board of Directors is seeking to fill 4 board positions starting January 2010.  The positions being filled will be from the following areas:  EMT, First Responder, Paramedic and Instructor.

You may find additional information about board positions and the Foundation including the bylaws at www.arkemsfoundation.org.

If you are interested in one of the mentioned Board positions please send a letter of interest with the following information:  name, address, phone number, e-mail address, qualifications/experience, and why you are interested in becoming a Foundation Board Member.  The letter of interest deadline is July 15, 2009, and should be mailed to:

Arkansas EMS Foundation
Attn:  Brenda Steward, Vice Chair
374 Avon Road
DeQueen, AR  71832

If you have any questions or need any additional information please contact Sedley Tomlinson, Chairman, at (501) 336-4379 or any current Foundation Board Member.

Need groceries? Want to support the Mid-South Chapter? Purchase groceries using a Schnuck’s or Kroger card obtained through the Mid-South Chapter office, and the stores will send a donation to the chapter. The more you shop, the more money to grant wishes! Kroger cards have a $5 fee, but are loaded with $5 for your first purchase. To get your card, please contact Ashley Clark at 901-692-9510 or aclark@midsouth.wish.org (TN or MS) or Carissa Godwin at 501-376-9474 or cgodwin@midsouth.wish.org (AR). Click here to view the press release for more details.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his  ream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 66 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 172,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, visit www.midsouthwish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®. If you know a child who could use our help, please call 800-264-9474.

Donald Reed, emergency medical service director for Arkansas Methodist Medical Center

Donald Reed, Emergency Medical Service director for Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, said his interest in becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) began as a teenager with a stint as a police explorer forwarding 911 calls to the ambulance service.

But the Florida native’s life took a different path after high school, and he worked in retail management until the mid-1990s, when he saw an ad for an EMT position.

“I always had an interest in public service,” he said. “I was already a firefighter, so I thought I’d try being an EMT.” After he completed his training, he joined Arkansas Methodist Medical Centers ambulance service as a part-time EMT in 1996. He began working full-time in 1999 as a triage paramedic in the emergency room.

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