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F-M AMBULANCE SERVICE
VITAL SIGNS
Fall 2014
Compassion, Excellence, Community Service
F-M Ambulance Service Company Picnic
The weather was a bit rainy on Thursday, July 10, but F-M Ambulance Service employees and their families still
enjoyed a meal at Rheault Farm in Fargo. The kids enjoyed playing on the playground equipment and running
around while the adults enjoyed chatting over dinner.
Company awards were announced at the picnic. Nikky Johnson (picture below), Wade Hockert (pictured below),
Bob Barber, Jon Rude and Amanda Danielson were awarded the Achievement in Excellence Award, which is
awarded to employees who provide compassionate, competent and quality pre-hospital care and transportation
while maintaining a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement to the community and each other.
Many employees were awarded their “Years of Service” awards. Nathaniel Dutt (pictured below) was awarded the
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Chapter EMS Award which is an award given to a member
of the F-M Ambulance Ceremonial Unit for obtaining high performance standards in 2013. Sean Knodel and Ted
Werre were honored for three years of service, and also for their commitment to their country, as both are currently
on military deployments. Their sacrifice is greatly appreciated by everyone at F-M Ambulance Service.
Did You Know…
That F-M Ambulance Service has a Facebook page? Learn more about our
service, meet our paramedics and EMTs, and see what we do every day! Check
us out and like us!
Company Picnic Photos
SIM ND Adds OB Manikin
With only 11 hospitals in North Dakota that deliver babies, emergency healthcare providers need to be well prepared
to respond to any obstetrical scenario or emergency. Simulation in Motion-North Dakota (SIM-ND) purchased four
Lucina Maternal Fetal Simulators for its mobile learning labs in order to deliver hands-on learning to 150 EMS units
and 35 critical access hospitals that don’t offer routine OB services. The birthing simulator offers reliable, realistic
training for childbirth maneuvers and emergency response when time is short and teamwork is essential.
Jason Eblen, QA/QI Specialist with F-M Ambulance Service and SIM ND trainer, recently completed “Train the
Trainer” class to learn how to use the new manikin. Eblen says, “This is the most realistic OB manikin that is
available in our area. It provides an automated delivery, which means that instead of instructors pushing the baby
out, the manikin will automatically do that by itself. It’s also set up with three modules to train on emergencies that
occur before, during, or after labor.”
Hillsboro Ambulance Service,
along with some hospital personnel
recently trained with the manikin
and said it was incredible.
For more information on SIM ND
training, please contact Amy at
(701) 777-5619.
Recertification Guidelines Change in ND
Question: I need to recertify this year. How do I do that? What do I need to
do?
Answer: It depends on a few things…
The state of North Dakota is part of a pilot program with the National Registry.
This pilot program is changing the way that recertifications have been done.
Minnesota is not included in this pilot program, so if you are recertifying in
MN, you can do the same thing as you have done in the past.
If you are recertifying in ND with an ND agency affiliation, the “refresher”
program that you have gone through in the past has changed to a
recertification course comprised of continued competency requirements. The
recertification program has three parts – National Continued
Comeaaaaaaaaaa
Competency
Requirements (NCCR), Local Continued Competency Requirements (LCCR), and Individual
Continued Competency Requirements (ICCR).
Provider Level
EMR
EMT
Paramedic
NCCR
8
20
30
LCCR
4
10
15
ICCR
4
10
15
Total Hours
16
40
60
There are three ways to obtain your NCCR hours from F-M Ambulance Service. Any of these choices are available
to your either in person at F-M Ambulance Service or via WebEx.
1. NCCR classes will be held every Wednesday from 7 – 9 PM, beginning on September 17, 2014 and
continuing until approximately January 28, 2015. Or you can…
2. Attend a weekend class. There are two options – January 30, 31 and February 1, 2015, or February 27, 28
and March 1, 2015. Or you can…
3. Attend a combination of #1 and #2. Each 2 hour session has a name, for example, Module A-1. If you
attend all of the Wednesday classes but missed the night of Module D-2, you can attend that during one of
the weekend classes.
You can attend these classes in person or via WebEx. If you are joining us via WebEx, class attendance will be
taken at different times throughout the presentation to ensure your attendance. We have tried to be flexible and
hope that this will work with most people’s schedules.
To connect via WebEx for a Wednesday night session, you will need to register for the course by Tuesday at 1200.
To connect via WebEx for a weekend session, you must be registered by Thursday at 1200. If you are not registered
by those times, you will not be able to attend the course via WebEx, but are still welcome to come in person. On
the day of the course you will receive an email with a link to get into the course along with specific requirements for
joining via WebEx. You will be required to connect to the course 10 minutes prior to the start to get credit for the
course (and to work out any kinks so that our speaker can start on time). If you will be using WebEx, it is suggested
that you have external speakers for better audio performance.
The cost for each module is $30.00.
For more information on the new recertification process or to register for the recertification courses, please see the
F-M Ambulance Service webpage – www.fmambulance.com, or call the education department at (701) 364-1750
at speak to Joe or Tom. Dates and times for each course can be found on our website.
The Rural Roundup
What’s new in Cass and Clay Counties?
Many county squads have been doing landing zone training with
Sanford AirMed. The squad members spend about 1.5 hours going
over when and why to call AirMed, how AirMed works and what they
can (and can’t) do, and then the members set up a landing zone for
the helicopter. If time and weather permit, some members even get
to go on a quick helicopter ride!
Bob Klein was awarded the Jerry Decker award. This award is
given annually to an EMS provider for outstanding dedication and
service. Jerry Decker was a volunteer with Hunter Ambulance
Service. In 1992, Decker responded to a cardiac call; while he was
transporting the patient he suffered a heart attack and died.
Decker’s life was filled with the need to help others; during his life,
he was also a peace officer and a firefighter. In appreciation for all
that he has done for the ambulance squads in Cass County, and
because his life is also filled with the need to help others, Bob Klein
was given this award. Congratulations, Bob!
Welcome to F-M Ambulance Service!
Trista Berg
Dwayne Chevalier
Joe Dickson
Blake Ebert
Brooke Fletcher
Kayt Frost
Matt Hons
Connor Hutton
Kyle Janssen
Stephen Leard
EMT
Paramedic
Educator
Dispatcher
EMT
EMT
EMT
EMT
Educator
EMT
FMA
FMA
FMA
FMA
FMA
FMA
FMA
TRFAA
FMA
FMA
Mike Monson
Chris Roisland
Randy Schatz
Carmen Wang
Sam Welle
Austin Yancy
Welcome to the team!
EMT
EMT
EMT
Education
Paramedic
Paramedic
FMA
TRFAA
TRFAA
FMA
FMA
FMA
Awards
F-M Ambulance Service Director of Operations Chad Mickelson and
Operations Manager Don Martin were both awarded the prestigious
Department of Defense Patriot Award from the Employer Support of
the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR Patriot Awards is a way
to recognize employers who provide extraordinary patriotic support to
their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve.
Sean Knodel and Ted Werre, paramedics with F-M Ambulance Service
who are currently deployed with the Army National Guard, nominated
Mickelson and Martin for the award. They said that both Mickelson and
Martin have been extremely accommodating so that they are able to
be both paramedics and soldiers.
F-M Ambulance Service was also awarded the Above and Beyond Award from ESGR. The Above and Beyond
Award is presented to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal
requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployments Rights Act by providing their Guard and
Reserve employees a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment,
caring for families, granting leaves of absences if needed, and other similar support during, before and after their
deployment.
“F-M Ambulance Service is proud to support their employees who continue to serve their country as a member of the
Guard and Reserve,” states Sherm Syverson, Executive Director of F-M Ambulance Service. “F-M Ambulance
Service, Chad Mickelson and Don Martin are very proud of the paramedics that work at F-M Ambulance Service and
help protect our country. We are very thankful to Sean Knodel and Ted Were for nominating us for these prestigious
awards.”
F-M Ambulance Service also has 6 other employees who are not currently deployed, but in the military.
Did You Know…
That F-M Ambulance Service partners up with Culvers
every summer for their helmet safety program?
Culvers generously donates free ice cream coupons,
and paramedics and EMTs from F-M Ambulance
Service look for kids wearing helmets to reward them
with a free scoop of ice cream! Thanks to Culver’s
and THANKS to all of the kids who wore their helmets
this summer!
Community Paramedic
What is a Community Paramedic?
The Community Paramedic Program closes the gap
by expanding the role of EMS personnel. Through a
standardized curriculum, accredited colleges and
universities will train first responders at the
appropriate level to serve communities more broadly.
The Community Paramedic Program adapts to the
specific needs and resources of each community. It
will succeed through the combined efforts of those
that have a stake in maintaining the health and wellbeing of its residents.
Does F-M Ambulance Service have Community
Paramedics?
F-M Ambulance Service currently has 5 paramedics
enrolled in a Community Paramedic program. These
Community Paramedics should be ready to serve our
community by next spring!
New Paramedic, EMT and EMR Classes Starting
It’s fall, which means that F-M Ambulance Service has a few new faces in our classrooms!
Paramedic school recently started with 20 students. Students have the opportunity to attend face-to-face or online.
The course consists of approximately 575 or 700 classroom hours (evening or day class) and an average of 1,200
clinical hours. F-M Ambulance Service’s paramedic program attained national program accreditation through
CAAHEP in 2007. The Program is affiliated with North Dakota State College of Science to provide students with
college credits and the opportunity to earn an Associate's Degree. The first paramedic program F-M Ambulance
Service was conducted in 1980. A class has graduated every year since then, with 2 classes a year graduating
starting in 2005.
EMT and EMR classes also recently began, with record numbers for the fall. Like paramedic school, students have
the opportunity to attend the EMT class face-to-face or participate in an online, blended course. EMR classes are
all conducted through an online and face-to-face blended course.
For more information on any courses at F-M Ambulance Service, please go to www.fmambulance.com.
Want To Learn More About F-M Ambulance Service?
F-M Ambulance Service has two exciting opportunities for
community members that start every fall:
F-M Ambulance Service Citizens Academy
The F-M ambulance Service Citizens Academy is a handson opportunity for community members to learn more about
F-M Ambulance Service. The Citizens Academy meets on
Wednesday nights from September 17 – November 5 from
7:00 – 10:00 PM. The Citizens Academy educates
participants about F-M Ambulance Service and emergency
medical services, along with teaching them skills they can
use in actual emergencies. The Citizens Academy is
designed for community members 18 and older.
F-M Ambulance Service Explorers
The F-M Ambulance Service Explorers is a program
designed for high school students who are interested in
learning more about the emergency medical field. They will
spend three hours each month in a shadow career
program, which focuses on hands-on learning and
experiences through participation with professional and
successful Paramedics and EMTs. Some Explorers are
able to participate in ride alongs during the program. The
Explorers meet the first Monday of each month, October –
May, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM.
For more information about the Citizens Academy or the
Explorers program, please contact Laurie at (701) 3641739.
Health Highlight
Allergies and Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic
response that is marked by swelling, hives, lowered blood
pressure, and dilated blood vessels. In severe cases, a person
will go into shock. If anaphylactic shock isn't treated immediately,
it can be fatal.
This condition occurs when the immune system develops
a specific allergen fighting antibody (called immunoglobulin E or
IgE) that drives an inappropriate or exaggerated reaction toward
a substance that is normally harmless, such as food. Your body
may not react upon initial exposure but may produce antibodies
with later exposures. When you are exposed to the substance
later, the binding of the allergen to antibodies can lead to the
presence of a large amount of a protein called histamine, which
can then lead to anaphylaxis.
What Are the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis may begin with severe itching of the eyes or face
and, within minutes, progress to more serious symptoms. These
symptoms
include
swallowing
and
breathing
difficulties, abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, hives,
and angioedema (swelling similar to hives, but the swelling is
beneath the skin instead of on the surface).
If you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 9-1-1 immediately.
The condition can quickly result in an increased heart rate,
sudden weakness, a drop in blood pressure, shock, and
ultimately unconsciousness and death.
Information from www.webmd.com
Did You Know…
That F-M Ambulance Service is a strong supporter of the United Way
of Cass-Clay?
-
-
Recently, employees were asked to bring in school supplies
for the United Way School Supply drive.
F-M Ambulance Service will have employees volunteer for the
Day of Caring, which helps local seniors with projects around
their home.
All kinds of fun activities are planned for the F-M Ambulance
Service annual United Way fundraising drive!
Macy and Bailey Wanzek, daughters of Kelly Wanzek, helped
pick up some school supplies for kids in need.
We hope that you have enjoyed this edition of “Vital Signs”, a quarterly newsletter distributed by F-M Ambulance.
An electronic edition of Vital Signs can be found on our website, www.fmambulance.com. If you have any ideas,
questions, or comments about “Vital Signs”, please contact Kristi at (701) 364-1759, or
[email protected].