NorthStar EMS, Inc.

NEMS First at Four

jjunkins — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:44:19 +0000

NorthStar-EMS and WVUA team up with “First at Four” to provide a monthly segment on illness injury prevention.
January 2012

December 2011

November 2011

October 2011

September 2011

NorthStar EMS Promotes Cancer Screening and HPV Vaccination During Cervical Health Awareness Month

jjunkins — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:28:24 +0000

Birmingham, AL., January 13, 2012: Modern medicine has given us unprecedented tools to prevent cervical cancer. In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, NorthStar EMS encourages women to schedule their annual well-woman checkups.
Each year in the U.S. approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 die as a result. The true tragedy of the disease is that cervical cancer screening tests and vaccines exist that can prevent virtually every case.
In both the U.S. and around the world, the disease disproportionately impacts poor women. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), that in addition to not having access to healthcare, women often lack awareness about cervical cancer.ASHA’s CEO, Lynn Barclay states, “Science has put us in a remarkable position to protect women from cancer, but technology is only half the battle. It is imperative we continue efforts that not only promote greater access to health care, but that we also inform women about cervical cancer and the marvelous means we now have to prevent this disease.”
Pap test decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer by detecting precancerous cells which, when found early, are highly treatable. Women should have their first screening Pap test at age 21, or within three years of becoming sexually active, if younger.
Most cervical cancer cases are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted disease. HPV infection can also cause a number of other health problems for both men and women. An HPV vaccine is available to prevent many of these potential health problems and is routinely recommended for both females and males at 11-12 years of age. The three dose series is to be given over a six month period. If an adolescent misses receiving the three recommended doses, they may catch up during 13-26 years of age. Most health insurance policies cover the cost of vaccines.
For more information, visit the American Social Health Association (ASHA) at www.ASHAstd.org or the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) at www.nccc-online.org

NEMS and WVUA partner for Cervical Health Awareness Month

“Hand Over the Keys”

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:50:15 +0000

If You Plan to Drink During the New Year’s Celebration!

EMTs working for NorthStar EMS, the ambulance provider throughout central Alabama, are well aware the holiday season is one of the deadliest times of the year for alcohol-related crashes, due to increased consumption of alcohol and an increase in the number of special events and parties. The purpose of this release is to spread that awareness in an effort to reduce illness and injuries that are related to irresponsible drinking.
Says, NorthStar EMS President, Tony Smelley, “Drinking and driving is a choice each driver makes. The resulting crashes are one of the most easily preventable catastrophes. We hope that everyone takes precaution to ensure that there is a designated driver present at their holiday parties and that no one is getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking.”
NorthStar EMS hopes that by offering the following tips for safe behaviors during the New Year’s Eve preparations and festivities, they will reduce the unfortunate results of drinking and driving accidents:
· If you drink, DON’T DRIVE, no matter how little you think you have had
· Designate a driver before you arrive at an event or party
· NEVER get into a car that’s being operated by someone who’s been drinking and dissuade anyone that has been drinking from driving at all.
· If hosting a party, make sure to set rules on drinking and driving. Offer to provide a ride home or a place for guests who drink to sleep.
· If possible, avoid driving during the early and late evening hours around New Years Eve. Protect yourself and passengers by wearing a safety belt at all times, in case of a crash.
· If you’re going to a bar or a club to have a few drinks, someone who’s not drinking should be along to drive you home. If not, call a taxi. You may have to go back and pick up your car the next day, but it’s worth it.
· “Ride Home” services may be available so that you won’t have to come back and retrieve your vehicle.
Please remember that even a first time DUI conviction in Alabama can result in Imprisonment. Please follow these safety tips and greatly reduce your chances of being in a DUI crash.
The leaders and staff at NorthStar EMS wish every citizen a happy and safe holiday season!
NorthStar EMS Public Service Announcement

Home for the Holidays ~ Fayette County

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:07:56 +0000

When family members are unable to be brought home for the holidays due to their health, it can dampen the spirits of the whole family. Fayette County EMS is pleased to announce that it will be working as a partner with Fayette Medical Center Long Term Care to identify residents that require an ambulance to be transported home. One lucky resident will be awarded the trip home at no cost to them or the family. Fayette County EMS will coordinate with the family members to pick up and transport the resident home for the holiday. After the family celebrations have concluded, Fayette County EMS will then pick up the resident and return them to their healthcare facility.

”Holidays are times when family and friends should be together. Fayette County EMS is pleased to partner with Fayette Medical Center Long Term Care to provide this experience for their residents.” said Greg Rainey, area manager for Fayette County EMS. Pictured in the photo is Ms. Ina Gilpin, recipient of Thanksgiving Home for the Holidays, Mike Mckay – EMT-I and Shane Harkness – EMT. The Home for the Holidays program occurs on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve this year.

(2011, November 30). EMS Coordinates Home for the Holidays. The Times – Record. ( http://www.mytrpaper.com/ )

Article Clipping The Times-Record

Home for the Holidays

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:22:30 +0000

TUSCALOOSA – AL -

NorthStar EMS will provide ambulance service for people who need help getting home for the holidays.

The ambulance service is partnering with nursing home facilities in Tuscaloosa County to transport residents to their family homes for Thanksgiving.

“Holidays are time when family and friends should be together. NorthStar is pleased to partner with our customers to provide this experience for their residents,” said Brent Dierking, NorthStar’s Director of Business Development.

The Home for the Holidays program will also operate on Christmas Day.
‘Home for the Holidays’~ Fayette County
ABC3340.com

Contracts for First Responders Awarded In Talladega County

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:02:54 +0000

TALLADEGA COUNTY — North Star Ambulance has been awarded the contract for 911 response in central and northern Talladega County, while Sylacauga Ambulance has been awarded the contract for the southern end, according to Brent Dierking, North Star’s director of business development.

Several years ago, the various cities involved drew up a proposal which resulted in litigation. The upshot of the ruling in that case was the E911 Board would have to handle the proposals.

The initial request for proposal, which includes benchmarks and evaluation standards, was released in April.

The E911 Board sent the final proposal to the Talladega County Commission for final approval.

North Star’s contract covers the city of Talladega and the area around Oxford. Lincoln and Childersburg have municipal paramedic services and will not be participating in the new contract.

“We have criteria to meet,” Dierking said. “We have minimum required emergency response times for the city and the county, and those will be evaluated every six months. The service providers will have to meet those standards, and that is a definite positive for the community.”

The proposal also includes a community education component that will likely cover such topics as drinking and driving during the holidays. These will be collaborative efforts involving local media and healthcare organizations.

Beginning next year, he said, the company will likely choose a theme such as child safety helmets or safety restraints in cars. They will also be working with local emergency medical technicians on such projects as monthly training classes, health fairs and blood pressure checks.

After an extensive analysis of call data, the company also decided to purchase office space in Talladega. They are now housed in the old E911 Building on North Street.

Dierking said an annual North Star tradition will be returning to Talladega this year, specifically Home for the Holidays.

“We will pick out a nursing home resident that would normally be able to go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and we make sure they get home and get to spend a few hours with their loved ones. Then we take them back. It’s a good way for us to give back.”

-The Daily Home

NorthStar EMS sponsors 4th “Drive Away Hunger” campaign.

admin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:26:35 +0000

NorthStar EMS’ primary mission is to provide medical care and transportation to those in need. There are many people within the communities we serve that will go hungry during this Holiday Season. To that end, NorthStar EMS formally issued a challenge to our Private Ambulance competitors to determine which service can collect the most food and fill up the back of an ambulance for the Jimmie Hale Mission.
Birmingham, AL, November 18, 2011: NorthStar EMS has issued a challenge to other private Ambulance Providers in Jefferson County to rally EMTs and Paramedics to provide a different kind of “Patient Care” this Thanksgiving season. That is to determine which ambulance service can collect the most food to donate to the Jimmie Hale Mission. Our goal is to fill as many ambulances as possible with food to help our friends at the Jimmie Hale Mission provide meals to those in need.

Food collection will end on Tuesday morning, November 22, 2011. Ambulances filled with food donations will then drive from NorthStar EMS’ headquarters located at 128 West Park Drive and plan to arrive at the Jimmie Hale Mission at 11:00am with lights flashing and sirens wailing.

Our EMS Services always stand ready, 24 hours a day, 7-days a week, to respond to medical and traumatic emergencies. This Food Drive provides another opportunity for us to provide for the physical and spiritual well being of others. There are over 3,000 homeless individuals throughout the Birmingham metropolitan area. The Jimmie Hale Mission provides approximately 175 meals each day in its shelters and over 400 additional meals to seniors and shut-ins. Being able to feed someone that is hungry often opens the door for a “life-saving” experience.

Several area Nursing Homes have also partnered in this event including South Health & Rehab, Highlands at The Oaks on Parkwood, Civic Center Health & Rehab, Northway Health & Rehab, Cherry Hill Healthcare and Eastview Healthcare.

WVUA First at Four – Avoiding the Flu

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:12:23 +0000

Game Day Prep – LSU vs. Alabama

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:46:20 +0000

Tuscaloosa Honors Ken Pate and Zach Bolding and the Pull to the Right campaign

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:34:49 +0000