By Jason White 

While the legislative session was wild and wooly this year, as most are for various reasons, EMS faired pretty well.

A new ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ law was passed.  While 45 or so states already have such a law, we finally completed this important legislation for Missouri.  A coalition of the “Right to Life” groups, the “End of Life” groups and EMS met and worked on a DNR bill since June of 2006. 

It goes without saying that the EMS industry is progressive and always seeking ways to enhance itself and the patient care it provides.

Internal communications tools are vital to every EMS agency so that we may share ideas, news, developments, and so that we can compare experiences and update each other on important related issues and more.

MEMSA’s new website is really much more than a website. 

The 2007 Statewide Disaster Collaboration Planning Meeting was held on Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18 at The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri.  The meeting was hosted by the Missouri Hospital Association in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Mid-America Regional Council and the St. Louis Area Regional Response System.

By KATHERINE CUMMINS
The Fulton Sun

After 38 years of saving lives as a firefighter and paramedic, Steve Steward finally has taken his last ride in an ambulance.

Steward retired on May 1 after 15 years working with the Callaway County Ambulance District full-time, and another nine years of part-time service.

HEATHER CASPI

Editor, EMSResponder.Com

The National EMS Museum Foundation's Virtual Museum has officially launched this week in conjunction with EMS Week, preserving the personalities and relics of early EMS through online exhibits and interviews.

"The museum's goal is not just to save a bunch of stuff," said Museum Director Kat Rickey. "It's meant to be informative, educational and entertaining."

The following is an opinion piece by Best Practices publisher, John Becknell

Dear United States Fire Service:

You are big, strong and the nation’s undisputed all-hazard responder.  You have 30,000 departments across the nation and more than 1 million firefighters.  You respond to millions of emergency medical calls each year in addition to your firefighting responsibilities.  You have widespread respect from the public, a high-level fire administration in the fed...
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By JON BELDING, BA, EMT-B

JEMS Magazine - Vol. 31 Issue 5

The rural N.Y. volunteer fire department I ride with was dispatched to a supermarket for a woman who had fainted. Another EMT-B and I arrived on scene to find a young woman sitting on a chair at the cash register, looking dazed but conscious. The manager of the store explained that she had called 9-1-1 after the cashier slumped to the floor while ringing up a customer and then regained consciousness almost immediately.

By Lisa Meyer

Cornerstone Government Affairs

On June 5^th, the House Appropriations Committee passed out the FY 08 DHS Appropriations bill.  The bill was passed by the full House on June 15. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of the FY 08 DHS Appropriations bill in the Senate on June 14.