Colorado EMS Group

Comment

Comment by Ashley Foxworthy on January 9, 2010 at 11:14pm

Hi fellow high altituders... I was a firefighter/EMT with various ambulance and FD's in CO before being injured in Oct 09 and sustaining an incomplete C6-7 spinal cord injury. I am trying to find ways to still stay involved in the service and am hoping to eventually ride in the Muddy Angels memorial ride on my handycle.

Comment by K C Jones on September 11, 2009 at 3:17pm

Open letter to members in Region IV,
I have been asked some interesting questions during this election that caused me to do some research. A major problem that NAEMT addressed years ago and continues to address is communication. I wish we had more frank discussions. I have joined each state’s web sites I am on NAEMT’s Facebook page, EMS1, and JEMS Connect to have those discussions and share information. I check these daily and enjoy the dialog. If we had more communication then problems that arise could allow us to work together toward solving these concerns. Have you ever needed EMS information? Have you ever asked these questions to the National Headquarters? One of the benefits you have as a member is the 1-800 34NAEMT (1-800-346-2468), that is a 24-7 number, just like our jobs. I have called and asked the great staff for information and it has been provided. Every Member can call, ask and receive an answer to their question. I did before I was a board member and will continue as long as I pay my dues.

The board has been accuse of luxurious traveling at the expense of the membership, come on, we are not executives for a large banking organization. Someone asked me did I fly first class, the closest I got to first class was the first row behind the curtain. During the 2008 I traveled to Baltimore for a midyear meeting, San Antonio for a RDPC Meeting (no cost to association) and Los Vegas annual meeting. I always flew coach and traveled on shuttles to save the association money. I even wish I could remember the name of the members in Los Vegas that I shared a cab with to save our member’s investment in the future of EMS. The NAEMT Leadership is just like most of our members, hard working EMS Practitioners that have to work hard to make ends meet. It sometime cost me to travel for NAEMT when my post is not filled I have to pay for the cost of a replacement, a sacrifice that I gladly accept to see EMS advance.
Questions have been raised the by-laws limiting members from running for office, over 500 members attended EMS Expo and any of those had the opportunity to run for the NAEMT Board. We have many members who serve on the 11 standing committees. Yes the President approves those who serve but if the member’s actions show you can work toward the future of EMS you are approved. Those who spread aggravation and try to tie up the advancement are not approved. Some say that gives the president too much power, if you are elected to the leadership role then you have to include people in your team who have the same passion and goals. If a president placed a person who looked for trouble and promoted discontent that would set the stage for failure. That doesn’t mean that the board or membership can’t question his actions, again that is communication. A good thing!
I was elected to move NAEMT forward, and I feel that the board is on the correct track, we are working on the three strategic goals that our members have selected Education, Membership, and Advocacy. Are we where I hoped we would be, no, but I have high expectations for NAEMT. If we work for the betterment of EMS and not reliving the past we would serve our profession better. The NAEMT leadership is working hard to spend every penny in a cost-effective manner. Our expenses are down this year and membership is up, even in this economic downturn, praise the Lord!

Stay safe EMS Practitioners and remember EMS Matters!

K C

Comment by chris on June 10, 2009 at 8:20pm

Does anybody work for Denver Paramedics?

Comment by Steve Berry on June 4, 2009 at 6:17pm

High altitude EMSers. I love it