JONESBORO, AR (KAIT-TV) - The Medic One ambulance team in Pocahontas received some special visitors this morning.

The Jonesboro Air Evac Life Team landed at Medic One to recognize them for their excellence in emergency medical services.

Read the rest and watch the video at http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=12014409

Clinton, Miss. — In a new position statement, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) states its strong opposition to participation in capital punishment by EMTs, paramedics or other emergency medical practitioners. Participation in executions is viewed as contrary to the fundamental goals and ethical obligations of emergency medical services. Historically, the role of EMS practitioners has been to promote, preserve and protect human life. NAEMT’s EMT Oath is based on the basic principles of saving life, respect for human life and the non-infliction of harm to all recipients of emergency medical services.

Participation in capital punishment is inconsistent with the ethical precepts and goals of the EMS profession. NAEMT strongly opposes all forms of EMS participation in executions, by whatever means, whether under civil or military legal authority. EMTs and paramedics should refrain from participation in capital punishment and not take part in assessment, supervision or monitoring of the procedure or the prisoner; procuring, prescribing or preparing medications or solutions; inserting the intravenous catheter; injecting the lethal solution; and/or attending or witnessing the execution as an EMT or paramedic. The fact that capital punishment is currently supported in many segments of society does not override the obligation of EMTs and paramedics to uphold the ethical mandates of the profession.

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EMS professionals throughout the nation will come together for the 1st Annual EMS on the Hill Day on May 3-4, 2010 in Washington , D.C.  This event is the EMS community’s first coordinated advocacy effort on Capitol Hill.

Top goals for this event are to:

• Include representation from EMS organizations in all sectors of the EMS community.
• Provide a consistent message to Congress on the key issues affecting EMS and EMS practitioners.
• Encourage and promote participation by EMS practitioners from across the nation.

The Hotel Palomar in Washington , D.C. has been selected as the official event hotel. Our Hill Day program will run as follows:

• May 3, 2010 (evening) – A pre-Hill Visit briefing will prepare participants for visiting their congressional leaders. All participants will receive Hill Visit Kits and appointment schedules. Appointment schedules will be organized by state.
• May 4, 2010 (morning-afternoon) – Participants will visit the offices of congressional leaders in their state to advocate for key EMS issues.
• May 4, 2010 (evening) – NAEMT will host a reception for all EMS on the Hill Day participants, congressional leaders and staff, and federal agency staff.

The success of the first EMS on the Hill Day will depend on participation from the leaders of the EMS community. We ask that you commit to sending as many leaders from Arkansas EMT Association as you can to Washington and agree to promote EMS on the Hill Day to your members through your website and newsletter. We only ask that participants be responsible for their travel costs (transportation, hotel, and meals). There will be no registration fee to attend. Here is a link to our online registration form:

http://www.naemt.org/advocacy/EMSontheHillDay/EMS_on_the_Hill_Registration.aspx

Example of Chemical Suicide Note

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control has recently assisted local authorities in two communities with suicides involving chemicals. This method of suicide, sometimes called detergent suicide, if frequently used in Japan and is being seen more frequently in this country. The process involves mixing common household chemicals to create hydrogen sulfide in a small space. Instructions to do this are readily available on the internet and most encourage anyone planning to use this method to provide appropriate warnings to people who might encounter or respond to their situation about the presence of the deadly gas. One incident in Japan took place in the bathroom of an apartment. Over seventy people in neighboring apartments were sickened by the fumes. In Arizona one individual manufactured hydrogen cyanide instead of hydrogen sulfide. This is the only instance of hydrogen cyanide I’ve been able to discover and suspect it’s rare because the chemicals needed for the reaction are not as readily available as those used to make hydrogen sulfide.

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David Taylor

The Arkansas EMS Foundation has established a scholarship fund in memory of David Taylor, Sr. who passed away suddenly on Nov. 5, 2009.

Please click here to learn more about the David Taylor, Sr. Scholarship fund.

AEMTA has signed the contract to keep the annual EMS conference at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs through 2015. Here are the dates to help you plan your vacation for the next 6 years!

Vendors, contact aemta4vendors@aol.com for information about our exhibit hall!

• Aug. 5 - 8, 2010
• Aug. 3 - 7, 2011
• Aug. 1 - 5, 2012
• Jul. 31 - Aug. 4, 2013
• Jul. 30 - Aug. 3, 2014
• Jul. 27 - Aug. 2, 2015