Fire
David Hesselmeyer | 01/11/2010

Quality assurance (QA)

Just the sound of those words can strike fear and nervousness to the strongest and most confident EMS professionals. Not only does it invoke those feelings but in some cases it has caused anger and resentment.

Financial
Bart Valley | 10/18/2009

Last year’s stock market decline created significant stress for investors. Unfortunately, in times like last year, we often see investors panicking and moving out of risky assets such as stocks into safer holdings like savings accounts or Treasury bills. But the truth is these safer investments have never produced the kinds of real returns that most investors need. Safe investments like savings accounts or Treasury bills might eliminate investment risk, but they introduce another problem: purchasing power risk.

CREATING THE PERFECT FIRE STATION
Steve Baird | 07/25/2010

Nearly all fire stations have a few items in common; apparatus bays, restrooms, decontamination, storage, at least one office, and an outdoor BBQ area. The challenge is that they are all moving targets based on the needs of the surrounding community. Budget constraints, current and planned equipment, functionality, response times, as well as personnel likes and dislikes, all exert influence on the station design. If you do not control the growth of your community, are not told what your budget will or won’t be, are grateful when you acquire or inherit another piece of equipment, and never know for sure what your line up is from year to year, you’re not alone.

Financial
CHARLES FLOWERS | 04/26/2010

For many, the funding of a Roth IRA has not been an option for saving for retirement. However, since January 1, 2010, a new opportunity is available for those interested in a Roth IRA. New IRS rules are making it easier than ever to convert to a Roth IRA. All taxpayers are now eligible to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, regardless of income or filing status. In addition, individuals can convert some types of qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans, governmental 457(b) plans, and 403(b) plans. A Roth conversion allows individuals to convert future taxable income to future tax-free income.

EMS
DAVID PEASE | 01/11/2010

When you read this, the holiday season will have passed, and I hope that everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas. Regardless of your beliefs, Christmas is a time to share joy and happiness with your family and friends, as well as those you may not know. We put our lives on the line everyday for people we do not know, because we are a family of caring and dedicated individuals. I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for the job you do, and wish you a very prosperous and happy New Year. May we all stay safe in the jobs we do.

Fire
Jennifer C. Prince | 01/11/2010

Pleasantly located on the northern end of the Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach offers an abundance of exciting activities that are sure to please anyone.  It’s no wonder North Myrtle Beach welcomes millions of visitors each year!

Over the years we have welcomed thousands of our service men and woman for some much needed R & R with family and friends.  There is so much to do in North Myrtle Beach, from year-round festivals and entertaining dinner shows, to challenging miniature golf courses, there is never a shortage of activities.

Education and Training
MICHAEL P. DALLESSANDRO | 10/18/2009

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a training program that focused on drivers of commercial vehicles driving distracted. The program that I was involved in was based on a recent 100 car “naturalistic driving study” that was conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

A naturalistic study observes drivers with multiple video cameras located both inside and outside the vehicle over a long period of time. Most drivers, when observed for short periods of time, will be on their best behavior. However, when the cameras become a normal part of the driver’s natural environment, most drivers lapse into their normal driving habits.

Fire
STEVE BAIRD | 04/26/2010

Responsibility to community -- Every place of business should provide their employees an environmentally friendly and safe workplace. Fire stations and emergency response facilities are no exception. They know the importance of clean air. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is only one of many ways we should move toward a more environmentally friendly place of work. One the most recognizable methods of IAQ in fire stations are separation of chemicals and installation and maintenance of proper ventilation and exhaust systems that remove air borne chemicals from living and administrative areas. Emergency response personnel are exposed to chemicals of some kind on nearly every 911 response. Even the decontamination areas are treated with special care — isolating from living quarters. Precautions are not an option, but a mandate for the safety of all.

FIRE
David Pease | 07/25/2010

In 1975, I was recruited to help start the rescue squad in Garner, N.C. The irony is, I was recruited as a diver, and ended up going to EMT school, the first class in our county. I ended up riding on an ambulance as well as doing rescue. Back in 1973, when I was certified as a diver, there were only a handful of dive organizations and they only offered open water scuba certification. The only diving I had done prior to becoming part of the rescue squad was in the Florida Keys and the rock Quarry in Rolesville. Soon, I found myself in black water diving in lakes and ponds around the county, as I was the only “Rescue and Recovery” diver in the county.

EMS
| 04/26/2010

Offered for the first time in 1980, UNC Charlotte’s EMS Management Institute will enter its 30th anniversary year with the upcoming 2010-2011 offering, beginning early October. Sponsored through the University’s Department of Continuing Education, the Institute is a management training opportunity for Directors, Supervisors, and Training Specialists in the EMS field and often attracts participation from paramedics aspiring to future leadership positions within their agency.