EMS Vitals, November 2019, Alaska State Office of EMS Newsletter

Alaska EMS Forward Together, EMSC Vitals Newsletter Logo

NOVEMBER 2019, Issue No. #17

EMS Award Recipients Announced!

Alaska Governor's Annual EMS Awards Congratulations to all EMS Award Recipients! 2019

Provider of the Year
Paula Brown
Mat-Su Borough EMS

EMS Administrator of the Year
Michael Riley
Anchorage Fire Department

EMS Educator
Nicole Olson
Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department

Outstanding Ambulance Service
Marianne Hoosier, Kimberly Dang, Breanna Love, Kelly Puzak and Aaron Elmore
Alaska Kuparuk Medical Emergency Response Team, ConocoPhillips

Special Awards and Commendations
Police and Fire Chaplains
Led by Chief Chaplain Diane Peterson

Friend of EMS
Sue Hecks
For her lifetime of dedicated service to Alaska EMS.

Thank you for your service!

The Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services

2019-2020 EMS Certification and License Information

Renewal Requirement Updates, please read.

Ambulance Service Expanded Scope Renewal

Beginning this year, expanded scope applications are separate from service certification applications. Updated expanded scope filing requirements and guidelines will be released soon. Expanded scope renewal applications will not be due until 2020- stay tuned!

EMS Provider Certification Renewal

Changes to the certification renewal process require the applicant to have completed Department approved CME or have current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) certification. 

  • Department approved CME must be entered under the “Supplemental Training” tab if utilizing CME for renewal.
  • If CME is not entered or NREMT certification is not indicated on your application it will not process through training validation which will result in a delay of your certification renewal.
  • Proof of CME is not required to be submitted with the application, however, documentation must be maintained by the individual through the end of the certification cycle as all applications are subject to audit.
  • Department approved CME or CME meeting the National Continued Competency Program  (NCCP) requirements will be accepted this December 2019 re-certification cycle.
  • Due to numerous requests an updated application, for providers affiliated with departments, will be made available by the first of December to replace the SAVR application. This process will not require applicants to enter CME hours individually.

Beginning December 31, 2020, all providers will be required to meet the NCCP CME requirements for renewal. More information can be found on the Alaska Office of EMS Webpage.

Attention

Attention EMS Medical Directors
Medical Directors will now need to establish and maintain their own account within the Certification Management System in order to electronically sign off on EMS agency and provider applications.

Deadline

December 31- Ambulance Service, EMT 1 Recertification, and ETT Instructor Recertification

March 31- EMT 2, EMT 3, AEMT and Instructor Recertification

Helpful Tips

Helpful Tip:
Make sure your contact information is current in the Certification Management System to receive important information regarding your certification renewal application. 

Educational Opportunities

Keep Kids Safe Throughout the Holidays
December 4, 2019; 1100-1200
Hosted by the Children Safety Network.
Register for this child safety webinar here.

For a list of upcoming EMT classes and other educational opportunities throughout the state please click here.

Pediatric Emergency Care Coordination

Upcoming 2020 EMS for Children Data Collection Effort
January 2020- March 2020

The Alaska EMS for Children Program (EMSC) is pleased to be working with the National Emergency Medical Services for Children Data Analysis Resource Center (NEDARC), located at the University of Utah, on an upcoming nationwide quality improvement effort aimed at identifying how to better support EMS agencies in caring for pediatric patients.

National Emergency Medical Services for Children Data Analysis Resouce Center (NEDARC)

As part of this effort, a select sample of State Certified EMS services will receive an email from the NEDARC team asking for help completing a brief questionnaire about their service; by brief we mean only 6 minutes from start to finish! The message will be sent from the email address emsc@hsc.utah.edu with the display name Emergency Medical Services for Children.

Alaska EMSC and NEDARC would very much appreciate your assistance with this quality improvement effort. The information you provide will assist the Alaska EMSC Program in identifying needs and providing future resources to better support pediatric emergency care in Alaska.

EMS for Children

Please contact Alaska EMSC if you would like more information about this effort. Thank you!

Celebrate the Power of Rural

National Rural Health Day is November 21st! National Rural Health Day is an annual day of recognition, shining a light on those who serve the vital health needs of the estimated 57 million people living in rural America.

Honoring Rural EMS

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the member organization for each of the 50 State Offices of Rural Health would like you to join the movement and take the pledge to partner today!

EMS System News and Updates in One Place!

Mail Forward

Please help our office spread the word about EMS Vitals by sharing this newsletter with your fellow EMS colleagues around the state.

EMS Vitals provides information on statewide EMS systems updates, upcoming meetings, events, educational opportunities and resources to support you in your professional growth. EMS Vitals would also like to hear from you and encourage you to submit content suggestions by emailing EMS Vitals.

All EMS System providers interested in subscribing to the Alaska Office of EMS newsletter and have not subscribed currently please sign up here.    

Quick Links

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Certification Management System
Educational Opportunities
Task Force Application
The Power of Rural

The Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services

ACEMS Calendar

January 30-31, 2020
Alaska Council on EMS Meeting
Juneau, Alaska

February 3-5, 2020
Training Committee Meeting
Juneau, Alaska

To participate by phone, please call into the ACEMS Committee teleconference line 1-800-944-8766, participant code 83001#.

For more information on upcoming events, meetings and ACEMS activities please email the Alaska Office of EMS.

Save the Date

November 21st, Save the Date. Plug Into the Power of Rural

November 21, 2019
National Rural Health Day!
www.PowerofRural.org

March 25-28, 2020
26th Annual Interior Region EMS Council Symposium
Fairbanks, Alaska

March 26-29, 2020
36th Annual Southeast Region EMS Council Symposium
Craig on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Resources

Pre-Hospital Pediatric Medical Consultation, EMS Providers Only: Alaska Native Medical Center 297-8809 & Providence Alaska Medical Center 212-3133
Stop The Bleed
Alaksa Emergency Medical Services for Children Program
Code Green Campaign
Careline 877-266-HELP or text 4help to 839863
Alaska Council on EMS Implementation Task Force; Apply, Click Here

Ongoing Implementation Task Force Recruiting
To apply for the ACEMS Task Force or for further information please refer to the application which can be found here. Applications are accepted continuously.

Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services, Apply Click Here
National Association of EMS State Officials logo

Read the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) Washington Update Here.

Poison Help 1-800-222-1222