News & Announcements

If you were the recent recipient of an email, fax, or snail mail letter headlined, “YOUR BILLING INCOME IS AT RISK,” you might want to read a memo from Attorney Paul Gillan of the Albany firm Iseman, Cunningham, Riester & Hyde (www.icrh.com). Paul is an EMT well known to Saratoga County providers and serves as legal counsel to many EMS and fire organizations. His poignant explanation regarding the supposed threats to ambulance billing revenue are enlightening. Click here for a PDF copy of Paul Gillan’s memo.

NIOSH and the FDA recently issued a joint notice describing potential for fire at oxygen regulator and cylinder valve interfaces resulting from incorrect use of seal gaskets. Depending on how you fill your bottles (in house or through a commercial provider), this may well apply to your agency. Click here for the complete notice.

DOH Bureau Director Ed Wronski issued a memo to all agencies and providers outlining how the Bureau plans to incorporate CPR Guidelines 2005 into NYS Written Exams and protocols. While local training and implementation is proceeding, it appears that it will take some time for DOH to incorporate the new changes into the exams. You are encouraged to click here for a copy of Director Wronski’s memo to share with your agency membership.

Blue Wing, the consultant hired by Saratoga County to explore alternatives to the stalled radio system upgrade, gave a report to the Public Safety Committee at their June 2006 meeting. Click here to view a Blue Wing PowerPoint presentation that explores the status of the current system and proposed plan for the future.

DOH has announced that three EMS Providers who died in the line of duty during 2005 will be added to the NYS EMS Memorial Tree of Life in a service to be held on May 17th, 2006 at 11 am at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Any agency wishing to send Corps vehicles (ambulances or fly cars) to the service can register to do so with DOH by contacting Donna Gerard at 402-0996 ext 3. Click here for a PDF flyer advertising the Memorial Service. Agency members are encouraged to attend – no registration is required for individuals.