 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Latest News
September 29, 2008 - Letter from Steve Tharratt regarding the dispute over provision of Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in the City of StocktonBelow is a link to the letter received today from Steve Tharratt, M.D., Director of the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority. In the letter the State EMS Authority supports the County’s position that the City of Stockton was fully integrated into the County’s EMS system by the 1986 Agreement between the City and County. It is the State EMS Authority’s assessment that the City of Stockton requires the San Joaquin County EMS Agency’s authorization to provide advance life support (ALS) service.
View a copy of the letter
View a copy of the 1986 Agreement
September 29, 2008 – City of Stockton Advanced Life Support Service
In February 2008, the County of San Joaquin notified the City of Stockton of the termination of the City’s ALS Agreement and requested the City to enter into negotiations for a new agreement. The City refused to negotiate a new agreement. In September 2008, the County filed a Writ of Mandate seeking an order from the Court preventing the City of Stockton from providing paramedic service without the County’s permission. Today, the San Joaquin County EMS Agency extended authorization to the City of Stockton to provide paramedic service until the scheduled Court hearing on November 6, 2008. It became necessary for the County to provisionally authorize the City to provide paramedic service in order to prevent action by the State of California EMS Authority against the City and the City’s licensed paramedics for providing unauthorized ALS service, effective October 1, 2008. The EMS Agency’s action today is consistent with County’s previously stated position that the County would not act to remove paramedics from the fire engines pending the court hearing on the November 6, 2008. Click here for more information.
September 29, 2008 - Regional Disaster Medical Health Specialist Position Available
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency is currently recruiting for the position of Regional Disaster Medical Health Specialist. Click here to learn more about the position, or to apply online.
September 12, 2008 - Accreditation Test Schedule
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency is modifying its approach to paramedic accreditation testing. Beginning on October 1, 2008, the EMS Agency will conduct paramedic accreditation testing on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Please click here for additional information and schedule.
September 8, 2008 - CAHAN Training
California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) Training will held October 8, 2008 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. Three “Hands On” Training Sessions will be offered: Alert User Training, Collaborator Training, and Administrator Training. Please click here for additional information.
September 5, 2008 - Designated Officer & OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training
Sacramento Fire Department is hosting Designated Officer Training (Basic) and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens & TB Courses (Train the Trainer). Click here for fees and registration information.
August 28, 2008 - Holiday Office Closure
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency office will be closed Monday, September 1, 2008 and will re-open with normal office hours Tuesday, September 2, 2008.
August 15, 2008 - Draft Policy Available For Public Review
Draft policy number 7040, Inpatient Bed Polling, is posted for review on the Draft Policies web page.
August 8, 2008 - HAM CRAM – Ham Radio Licensing Class
HAM CRAM Training will be held Friday August 22, 2008 at Lodi Memorial Hospital. This class is FREE and open to all San Joaquin County hospitals, clinics and pre-hospital care providers. It is funded by the HRSA Year 5 Grant. This class is organized in cooperation with the San Joaquin County Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the Manteca Amateur Radio Club. Click here for flyer and additional information.
July 25, 2008 - Working Together for All-Hazards Readiness Workshop
A “Working Together for All-Hazards Readiness” workshop is scheduled for August 20-21, 2008. The workshop is FREE and includes lunch and refreshments both days. The workshop is being co-sponsored by the San Joaquin County EMS Agency and the California Department of Public Health, and is being hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education. EMS and BRN Continuing Education Credits are being offered. Space is limited to the first 100 people. Click here for additional information.
July 11, 2008 - EMSystem Training for Hospital Users
EMSystem training for hospital users is being offered July 29, 2008, with two training sessions. The course instructor will be Elaine Schweitzer from EMSystem and the course will cover current use of EMSystem in the OES Region IV, day-to-day status reporting, MCI support, bed polling, forms, and instant messaging. Space is limited to 20 people per session. Click here for additional course details. For questions, or to register, please contact Phillip Cook, Disaster Medical Health Specialist at 209-468-6818 or by e-mail pcook@sjgov.org.
July 2, 2008 - Holiday Office Closure
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency office will be closed Friday, July 4, 2008 and will re-open with normal office hours Monday, July 7, 2008.
June 30, 2008 - Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2008
Click here for the new EMS fee schedule, effective July 1, 2008, which has been approved by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
June 23, 2008 - Draft Policy Available For Public Review
Draft policy number 4448, EMS Aircraft Utilization, is posted for review on the Draft Policies web page.
June 12, 2008 - New EMS Dispatcher Accreditation Web Page
An EMS Dispatcher Accreditation web page has been added to the EMS Personnel Information section of the web site. The page provides documents and information pertinent to EMS Dispatcher Accreditation in San Joaquin County. Click here to view the EMS Dispatcher Accreditation web page.
June 6, 2008 - Liaison Committee Meeting Cancellation
The Liaison Committee meeting scheduled for June 11, 2008 has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2008. To view the EMS Liaison Committee Meeting schedule for 2008 please visit the 2008 Committee Meetings Schedule web page.
June 3, 2008 - 2008 Field Care Audit Cancellation
The 2008 Field Care Audit scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2008 has been cancelled.
May 30, 2008 - New Policy
Policy Number 4901, Base Hospital Standards, has been added to the Policies web page.
May 16, 2008 - New & Revised Policies
New and revised policies have been added to the Policies web page. Those policies include: 5771 ALS Bronchospasm, 5772 ALS Acute Pulmonary Edema, 5820 Pediatric Respiratory Distress: Bronchospasm, 5906 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and 5906A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Report Form.
May 14, 2008 - Blood Drive at San Joaquin County General Hospital
San Joaquin County General Hospital is holding a Blood Drive on Thursday, May 29 from 8am to 2pm. Contact Sheila Lucchesi at (209) 468-6621 to schedule an appointment or view the flyer for more information.
April 29, 2008 - The Transportation Committee Meeting Scheduled For May 1, 2008 Has Been Cancelled
The Transportation Committee Meeting scheduled for May 1, 2008 has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for August 7, 2008. To view the Transportation Committee Meeting schedule for 2008 please visit the Committees web page.
March 28, 2008 - San Joaquin County Field Care Audit 2008
San Joaquin County EMS Agency will be hosting a 2008 Field Care Audit on Thursday, June 12, 2008. The subject of this Field Care Audit is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). It is being taught by Anna Valdez, SJCEMSA. You must work for a San Joaquin County EMS Provider to be eligible to participate. The Field Care Audit is instructor led and is intended to serve as an educational opportunity. It has been approved by the San Joaquin County EMS Agency for up to 2 continuing education hours at no cost to participants. All San Joaquin County First Responders, EMTs, Paramedics, and MICNs are encouraged to attend (EMS Provider #39-0001, BRN #1524). Space is limited, please see flyer for additional information. Confirmation of registration will be sent to participants. Click here for the Registration Form.
March 28, 2008 - San Joaquin County Prehospital Providers Crime Scene Preservation Course
San Joaquin County EMS Agency will be hosting a Prehosptial Providers Crime Scene Preservation Course presented by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office on April 24, 2008 from 10 AM to 12 PM. This course is instructor led and is intended to serve as an educational opportunity. It has been approved by the San Joaquin County EMS Agency for up to 2 continuing education hours at no cost to participants. All San Joaquin County First Responders, EMTs, Paramedics, and MICNs are encouraged to attend (EMS Provider #39-0001, BRN #1524). Space is limited; please click here for flyer/registration form. Confirmation of registration will be sent to participants.
March 28, 2008 - New Policy
A new policy with a form has been added to the Policies web page. The Policy, 2311 EMT-I Skills Competency Verification Process, is effective April 1, 2008. The form, Individuals Designated to Verify EMT-I Skills Competency Form, is effective April 1, 2008.
March 28, 2008 - Draft Policy Available For Public Review
Draft EMS policy 2310 EMT Certification is posted for review on the Draft Policies web page. Please submit your comments or suggestions using the comment forms no later than April 27, 2008. The completed comment forms may be submitted by email to Christine Tualla at ctualla@sjgov.org or by U.S. Mail to the San Joaquin County EMS Agency, PO Box 220, French Camp, CA 95231.
March 21, 2008 - New & Revised Policies
New and revised policies have been added to the Policies web page. Policies effective April 1, 2008 include: 5702 ALS Advanced Airway Management; 3202 Medical Priority Dispatch System Response and Mode Assignments for Cards 1-32. Policies effective July 1, 2008 include: 4101 BLS Medication and Equipment List; 4102 ALS Medication and Equipment Inventory.
March 7, 2008 - New SJGH Direct Inpatient Admission and Transfer Phone Number
The Case Management Department of San Joaquin General Hospital has created a new direct inpatient admission and transfer line for physicians and hospitals. Beginning Monday February 11, 2008, a Registered Nurse Transfer Coordinator will be available to facilitate direct inpatient admissions and transfers into San Joaquin General Hospital. This service is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The new transfer telephone number is (209) 468-7179.
Questions about this new service may be directed to Case Management Manager Doria Carpenter, R.N. at (209) 468-6165 or by email: dcarpenter@sjgh.org.
March 7, 2008 - EMS Policy Memorandum 2008-03, EMS Policy No. 2560 Paramedic Scope of Practice and EMS Policy No. 5702 Advanced Airway Management
EMS Policy Memorandum 2008-03, EMS Policy No. 2560 Paramedic Scope of Practice and EMS Policy No. 5702 Advanced Airway Management, has been added to the Policies web page in the Policy Memorandum section. This policy memorandum includes changes that are effective immediately. The memo removes nasal tracheal intubation from the standing orders for paramedics in San Joaquin County; it may only be performed with a base hospital physician order. Also, all prehospital ALS personnel shall immediately begin using an endotracheal introducer to facilitate advanced airway placement. See memorandum for complete information.
March 7, 2008 - Draft Policies Available For Public Review
Draft EMS policies: 5771 ALS Bronchospasm; 5772 ALS Acute Pulmonary Edema; 5820 Pediatric Bronchospasm; and 5906 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure are posted for review on the Draft Policies web page. Please submit your comments or suggestions using the comment forms no later than April 6, 2008. The completed comment forms may be submitted by email to Christine Tualla at ctualla@sjgov.org or by U.S. Mail to the San Joaquin County EMS Agency, PO Box 220, French Camp, CA 95231.
March 7, 2008 - Employment Opportunity
Escalon Fire District will be accepting applications for a Firefighter Trainee position until 4:00pm April 2, 2008. See flyer for additional information.
February 28, 2008 - NHTSA's New Website
NHTSA has launched a new website that has been designed to bring together information from all departments at the National level that have a role in EMS. The new website address is: http://www.ems.gov/index.html. A link to the new website has been added to the Links page of this website under General Links titled NHTSA EMS.
February 28, 2008 - Thornton Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast
Thornton Firefighters Association will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast Saturday, March 22, 2008, from 7 am to 12 noon at Community Hall, 26950 Sacramento Blvd, Thornton, CA 95686. Tickets are $7.00; they can be purchase in advance from Thornton Fire District or at the door. All you can eat pancakes, egg, sausage, milk and juice. All proceeds to benefit Thornton Fire District for equipment needs. If you have any questions please contact Thornton Fire District at (209) 794-2460.
February 28, 2008 - EMS Authority 15 Day Public Comment on Revised Proposed Recommended Guidelines for Disciplinary Orders and Conditions of Probation for EMT-Is and EMT-IIs
The Emergency Medical Services Authority is releasing the revised proposed Recommended Guidelines for Disciplinary Orders and Conditions of Probation for EMT-Is and EMT-IIs for 15-day public comment from February 25, 2008, to March 10, 2008. The proposed text of the guidelines and a sample comment table are available on the EMS Authority’s web site at www.emsa.ca.gov.
February 25, 2008 - Shock and Bleeding Training
San Joaquin County EMS Agency is offering Shock and Bleeding Training online with 2.5 hours of free EMS continuing education for First Responders, EMT-I’s, and EMT-P’s. The course, along with information, is on the Continuing Education Training Opportunities web page.
February 20, 2008 - New Mailing Address
San Joaquin County EMS Agency has a new mailing address: PO Box 220, French Camp, CA 95231. This address change is effective immediately.
February 14, 2008 - Specialty License Plates to Honor EMS Professionals
The Emergency Medical Services Authority is developing a specialty license plate to honor EMS professionals in California. Anyone who owns a car in California will be able to get the EMS License Plate. Creating a specialty plate will support and recognize healthcare professionals who work in the emergency setting.
The standard EMS License Plate will be $50 initially and $40 for renewals. The use of these funds may be used in any of the following areas: public information and prevention, recognition program, a memorial fund, charitable programs or programs to enhance EMT applicants statewide.
EMSA must collect 7,500 pre-paid applications before the plate is produced and distributed to applicants. This process could take as long as a year, which could delay applicants receiving their plates. If EMSA cannot collect 7,500 applications a full refund will be given to the applicant.
The first step is to design a plate. EMSA is soliciting ideas for the design of the EMS plate. Please submit your design by March 15, 2008 to Jamie Kelly at jamie.kelly@emsa.ca.gov. Please submit only jpg, gif or bmp files. Do not submit zip files as our e-mail system will not permit that type of attachment.
Criteria for plate design:
- The specialized license plates must contain a message that publicizes or promotes the state agency, or the mission or work of a state agency.
- The design cannot exceed 2 by 3 inches to the left of where the numerical series begins.
- The design cannot be larger than five-eighths of an inch in height below the numerical series.
- The design is to be limited to 4 colors.
- Because of the graphic on the license plate, the license may contain no more than six characters.
Due to lack of interest, the MICN class scheduled for March 2008 has been cancelled.
January 29, 2008 - New Certification/Accreditation Applications
New certification/accreditation applications have been posted to the EMS Personnel & Training pages of the website. The previous version will no longer be accepted. An exception will be those that were mailed and post marked on or before 02/06/08, after that they will be returned to the certificate holder with the revised application for resubmission. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin O’Loughlin at 209-468-6818 or by e-mail koloughlin@sjgov.org.
January 25, 2008 - EMS Policy Memorandum 2008-01, Acute Coronary Syndrome
EMS Policy Memorandum 2008-01, Acute Coronary Syndrome has been added to the Policies web page in the Policy Memorandum section. The memo is intended to emphasize the requirement that paramedics perform a 12-lead ECG on all patients which present with signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), tachycardia or both. The memorandum also discusses the importance of early receiving hospital notification when the machine software detects a ST segment MI.
January 25, 2008 - EMS Policy Memorandum 2008-02, Advanced Airway Management
EMS Policy Memorandum 2008-02, Advanced Airway Management has been added to the Policies web page in the Policy Memorandum section. The memo is intended to emphasize the importance of secondary confirmation after intubation as required by policy 5702. In addition, this memo is to stress that monitoring and documenting capnography readings until patient transfer at the emergency department is required on the PCR.
January 25, 2008 - Holiday Office Closure
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency office will be closed Monday, February 18, 2008 and will re-open with normal office hours Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
January 14, 2008 - Policy Public Comments and Responses
• Public Comments and Responses for EMS Policy No. 2101 and No. 2101A
• Public Comments and Responses for EMS Policy No. 6101 and No. 6101A
January 11, 2008 - New Policies
The EMS Agency is posting the following new policies:
• EMS Policy No. 2101 - EMS Dispatcher Accreditation (effective 7-1-08)
• EMS Policy No. 2101A - EMS Dispatcher Continuing Education Log (effective 7-1-08)
• EMS Policy No. 3411 - Advanced Life Support Radio Report Format (effective 3-1-08)
• EMS Policy No. 5110 - Anatomical Donor Cards (effective 3-1-08)
• EMS Policy No. 6101 - Sentinel Event Reporting Requirements (effective 3-1-08)
• EMS Policy No. 6101A - Sentinel Event Report (effective 3-1-08)
January 10, 2008 - Draft Policies Available For Public Review
Draft EMS policies: 2311 EMT-I Skills Competency Verification Process; 2311A EMT-I Skills Competency Verification Form; 3202 Medical Priority Dispatch System Response and Mode Assignments for Cards 1-32; 4101 BLS Standard Drug and Equipment List; and 4102 ALS Standard Drug and Equipment List are posted for review on the Draft Policies web page. Please submit your comments or suggestions using the comment forms. The completed comment forms may be submitted by email to Christine Tualla at ctualla@sjgov.org or by U.S. Mail to the San Joaquin County EMS Agency, PO Box 1020, Stockton, CA 95201.
January 9, 2008 - January 2008 is "Radon Action Month" in California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed January 2008 as "Radon Action Month" in California. The proclamation is posted on the Governor’s web site, January 2008, as “Radon Action Month”.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Sixty percent of lung cancer is now diagnosed in nonsmokers and former smokers. Two-thirds of nonsmokers diagnosed with lung cancer are women.
The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a national health advisory warning Americans that indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause among nonsmokers.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into your home from the ground. Because we cannot see, smell, or feel it, the only way to know if radon is present is to test for it.
Homes found to have elevated levels of indoor radon can be fixed by well-established venting techniques. New homes can be built using radon resistant construction techniques that not only improve indoor air quality but can also save energy.
Although most counties in California have low to moderate risk of having elevated levels of indoor radon, there are areas scattered throughout 22 California counties with a high risk of having elevated levels of indoor radon. The number of people at risk from radon exposure in California is unique because of the State’s large population. Because of California’s large population the United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more people die from radon-related lung cancer than any other state in the country. An estimated 240,000 California residents are exposed to an elevated level of radon.
For more information on radon and how to mitigate homes with elevated radon contact the California Department of Public Health, Indoor Radon Program at (916) 449-5674 or visit their web page http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/Pages/Radon.aspx
January 4, 2008 - Holiday Office Closure
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency office will be closed Monday, January 21, 2008 and will re-open with normal office hours Tuesday, January 22, 2008.
January 4, 2008 - San Joaquin County EMS Agency MICN Training Course
The San Joaquin County EMS Agency Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN) Training Course is scheduled for March 2008. The course cost is $200.00 for participants. Space is limited. Please see brochure for course information including prerequisites. For any additional information or to register please contact Christine Tualla at 209-468-6818 or by email at ctualla@sjgov.org.
View the 2007 News Archives >>
View the 2006 News Archives >>
View the 2005 News Archives >>
training & CE | medical/health mutual aid | committees | public info & ed | employment | links
emergency preparedness | join the California Medical Volunteers
Web Design by Inspironix, Inc.