Tuscaloosa, AL., May 17, 2012: In 1973, President Gerald Ford signed the first proclamation establishing EMS Week. Since that time, EMS Week is celebrated every year to recognize the accomplishments of the men and women who dedicate themselves to saving the lives of others and to educating the public about emergency preparedness. This year’s EMS Week theme is, “EMS: More Than a Job. A Calling.”
NorthStar Paramedic Services was established in April 1992 with two ambulances and a small group of dedicated EMS professionals who wanted to enhance the delivery of EMS to the City of Northport. Since that time, NorthStar Paramedic Services, commonly referred to as NorthStar EMS or NEMS, has grown into Central Alabama’s largest private EMS provider of emergency care and medical transportation services serving our communities for over 19 years.According to NorthStar’s President, Tony Smelley, “I am very appreciative of the service our Team Members provide to our patients and our customers. Our mission is to provide personalized and professional care to our community. Each day our Team has the ability to positively impact someone’s life. Their loyalty and dedication to the field of EMS is truly second to none!” EMS Week (May 20-26) provides many opportunities to demonstrate that EMS is a great profession to choose as a career. “Every day, our Team has the opportunity to positively affect someone’s life on a physical, emotional and even spiritual basis. They are truly angels when people are in need” said Brent Dierking, Director of Business Development. “We are thankful to our Team of professionals who have dedicated their lives to help others!”
On Saturday evening of this past weekend Doug “P.J.” Bean died in an accident near his parent’s home in South Dakota. His funeral is scheduled for Friday, May 11, 2011 at 10:30 am in South Dakota. Tuscaloosa Fire Department is sending “Honor Guard” personnel to the service but due to the distance it will be difficult for anyone from Tuscaloosa to attend.
On Friday at the NorthStar main office we will hold a Memorial Service for P.J. It will be at the same time of the funeral in South Dakota.
The service will begin promptly at 10:30 AM, NorthStar Chaplain Bill McDonald will lead an opening prayer and recognition, which will be immediately followed by a “Final Call”, delivered over our Tuscaloosa VHF and Southern Link frequencies.
Northstar’s main office is located at 2106 17th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL. See map below for details.
Tuscaloosa, AL., April 8, 2012: NorthStar EMS, Central Alabama’s largest emergency ambulance services provider, has taken time to recognize the contribution that all EMS Dispatchers make each day in taking care of people in need. NEMS, along with other Public Safety Agencies, is celebrating “National Public Safety Telecommunications Week” April 8-14, 2012. This week is sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving instructions to callers over the phone.
According to Brent Dierking, NorthStar EMS’ Director of Business Development, “EMS Dispatchers play a critical role in our daily activities. They serve as the caller’s first point of contact and it is up to the dispatcher to listen, ask the right questions and then manage the EMS response to meet the caller’s needs. EMS Dispatchers are a critical link to ensuring the help is sent without any delays.”
NorthStar EMS is honored to recognize our Team of professional telecommunicators. Our dispatch personnel serve as the “Central Nervous System” for the organization insomuch that they control and manage our daily responses to provide personalized and professional care to our communities. We’d like to take time, especially this week, to “Thank” our dispatch Team for their role in EMS. Dispatchers play and vital role in the chain of survival and are truly part of the EMS Team!
Last month, Blount County EMS donated an AED device to the Blount County courthouse. “Hundreds of citizens are in and out of the courthouse every week. It only makes sense that this would be an ideal location for an AED. We are extremely appreciative of the generosity of Blount EMS in providing this life-saving device and training our personnel to use it,” Ralph Mitchell was quoted as saying. Read about the story here.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – February 28, 2012 – NorthStar EMS was presented with a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Customer Service Department of the Year – Public Education & Services category in the sixth annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service last night. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world’s top sales awards, contact center awards, and customer service awards. The Stevie Awards organizes several of the world’s leading business awards shows including the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards.
“I am delighted that our Team Members have been recognized for their customer care,” said Tony Smelley, President of NorthStar EMS. “It is our goal, everyday, to provide personalized and professional care to our communities.”
NEMS Supports American Heart Month and Encourages CPR Training
February is American Heart Month; a month to spread awareness about the importance of heart health. Many families are impacted by heart disease and stroke. Often times, the risk factors can be controlled by eating health foods, exercising regularly, and not smoking. It is important to visit your primary care physician and to consider what steps you and your family will take to promote and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, NEMS encourages everyone to learn CPR. It has been well documented that the quicker CPR can be administered in the cases of sudden cardiac death, the better the chance to restore a pulse. Read NEMS Official Press Release here.
NEMS, in conjunction with the Tuscaloosa Fire Department and Training USA will be offering a CPR/AED class on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 from 6pm-9pm. The class will be taught at the Tuscaloosa Fire Logistics Center on McFarland Boulevard (in front of Brunos) in the upstairs classroom. Preregistration is required as the class will be limited to 20 participants.
For more information, contact Charles Stewart by phone at 205-345-3303 or via email by clicking here.
NorthStar EMS Promotes Cancer Screening and HPV Vaccination During Cervical Health Awareness Month
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
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
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
