Special Edition: EMS Week; EMS Vitals, Alaska State Office of EMS Newsletter, No.26

EMS Vitals: Alaska EMS, Forward Together
EMS Week 2020

Thank you to the EMS professionals on the front-line of the COVID-19 crisis--planning, adapting and responding every day to take care of their neighbors and communities. Please celebrate with us!

EMS Week

Read the Presidential EMS Week 2020 Proclamation.

Monday, May 18, 2020: Education Day

Under the direction of Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, and Alaska's Public Health leadership team, the UAA Center for Human Development Project ECHO is developing multiple district ECHOs in response to the current health crisis.

ECHO Project Logo

ECHO is a collaborative model of education that makes specialty knowledge accessible wherever it is needed to save and improve people’s lives. Through the use of videoconferencing, participants teach and learn from each other through brief lectures, case presentations, and rich dialogue.

Please join us this Thursday (May 21, 2020) at 10am for a special pediatric Alaska EMS ECHO. The Seattle Children's Pediatric Cardiology Clinic of Alaska will be presenting a short didactic on COVID pediatric presentations tailored for a wide range of pre-hospital EMS providers. 

Alaska EMS ECHO, Pediatric Special, Thursday at 10am

Follow the links below to register for reoccurring Alaska EMS ECHOs that will launch the week of May 25th.

Alaska EMS Leadership
Thursdays at 10am - Launches May 28th

Alaska EMS Providers and Instructors 
Fridays at 10am - Launches May 29th

Participants of the ECHOs launching May 28th and 29th will be able to obtain free CMEs accredited by the University of New Mexico. These CMEs are applicable to all provider levels from ETT to physicians. 

Tuesday, May 19, 2020: Safety Day

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a heavy strain on Alaska’s health care and emergency response systems and more importantly, the people who keep those systems running and provide care and support to Alaskans with medical needs. The pressure and stress this workforce is under, on top of significant disruptions to family support due to social distancing restrictions, can be difficult to bear and have a considerable impact on their mental health.

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) recognizes the importance of maintaining the mental, emotional and physical health and well-being of each of these individuals and so DHSS is offering a new resource that provides behavioral health support to those who need it during these trying times. At the recommendation and direction of Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, the Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Behavioral Health has set up the AK Responders Relief Line specifically for health care providers and those working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response.

AK Responders Relief Line

AK Responders Relief Line is a free, anonymous call line available seven days a week, 24 hours a day for health care providers and frontline responders. If you’re feeling anxious, having trouble sleeping, depressed, need help coping, or just want to talk to someone about your day, please call 844-985-8275 anytime.

Download a flyer to share.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020: Emergency Medical Services for Children Day

This day shines a spotlight on the delivery of high-quality emergency medical care for children, focusing on the unique needs of critically ill or injured pediatric patients and the challenges EMS professionals face in meeting those needs.

Thank You EMS Professionals! 

From Our EMSC Family, Thank you EMS Professionals

Watch the 2020 EMS for Children Day 2020 video. 

Watch the EMS Week 2020 video.

Alaska EMSC would like you to help celebrate EMS for Children Day by refreshing your skills on how to detect and report child abuse and neglect. 

Alaska Child Abuse Reporting
With Alaska’s children now remaining at home (and out of the eyes of mandatory reporters, such as teachers and coaches, and medical providers), some children are in a vulnerable position. With an increase in isolation, stress, unemployment, substance misuse, and financial instability, rates of child abuse and neglect are likely to rise as well.

Alaska EMSC recommends EMS personnel to keep these factors in mind when encountering children and have heightened sense of awareness for any signs of neglect or maltreatment, even when the child is not the intended patient. If concerns are noted, follow established policies and protocols for reporting. You may be the only person to act.

Refresh your Reporter Training Skills, Earn 1.0 CME
Alaska DHSS Office of Children's Services offers a free child abuse and neglect reporter training. The reporter training is approved for 1.0 hour of EMS continued medical education (CME).

Start Alaska Child Abuse Reporter Training course here.

Ready to Report
24-hour/7 Days a Week
Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline
1-800-478-4444

Make an online report by emailing reportchildabuse@alaska.gov.

Thursday, May 21, 2020: Save-A-Life Day

Save a life day 2020

Celebrate Save-A-Life Day by:

  1. Taking an online CPR course.
  2. Applying for a STOP THE BLEED® Training Kit Grant if you are affiliated with a qualified organization.
  3. Donating blood at your local Alaska drive.  Call ahead and make an appointment. Find a blood bank near you.

Friday, May 22, 2020: Recognition Day

Alaska Governor's 2020 EMS Awards

The Governor's Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services would like to encourage providers to honor each other by nominating a fellow provider for one of the Alaska Governor's Annual EMS Awards.

Nominate now!

Assitant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Covid-19 Clinical Rounds

Our partners at the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response are offering COVID-19 Clinical Rounds training opportunities.

First Responder Resiliency,
Mondays at 12:00 PM AKDT

 

Register Here

EMS: Patient Care and Operations,
Mondays at 8:00 AM AKDT

 

Register Here

Critical Care: Lifesaving Treatment and Clinical Operations,
Tuesdays at 8:00 AM AKDT

 

Register Here

Emergency Department: Patient Care and Clinical Operations,
Thursdays at 8:00 AM AKDT

Register Here
Employment Opportunities
Southern Region EMS Council

Southern Region EMS Council is hiring!

Accounting Assistant

Resource Coordinator

Office of EMS Guidance

To review all recent memos issued by the Alaska Office of EMS regarding the COVID-19 response, please visit the State of Alaska Office of Emergency Medical Services website here.

Be sure to access the latest COVID-19 information on the Alaska COVID-19 DHSS website.

Helpful tip icon

ALL ALASKA EMS PROVIDERS, PLEASE NOTE: To make sure you receive the latest information about your Alaska EMS certification please make sure your email contact information is up to date in the EMS Certification Management System. Thank you.

SPECIAL EDITION 
EMS Week 2020, Issue No.26

DHSS

Alaska Office of Emergency Medical Services
PO BOX 110616
350 Main Street, Suite 530
Juneau, Alaska 99811
907-465-3140

 

EMS Regional Office Directory

 

Alaksa Emergency Medical Services for Children Program