Louisiana Ambulance Alliance

🚑 🚑 🚑 ACE4EMS SPOTLIGHT 🚑 🚑 🚑

This week we are elated to spotlight a remarkable individual who has gone above and beyond in the ACE4EMS Program! Congratulations James Porter on your remarkable milestone! The new heights of your success are limitless through your unwavering dedication and perseverance.

Read the full spotlight nomination below!

Our spotlights are always featured in our Alliance Weekly Newsletters. Missed this week? No problem! Email [email protected] to subscribe. 📥

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The staff at the Louisiana Rural Ambulance Alliance and ACE4EMS would like to congratulate James Porter on successfully completing the National Registry of EMTs cognitive and psychomotor examinations at the Emergency Medical Technician level.

Porter successfully completed both exams on his first attempt. ACE4EMS Program Director Evon Smith acknowledged, “James was an exceptional student who gave 110% throughout the course. He excelled because he set a goal for himself and worked extremely hard to accomplish his goal. I am so proud of him and his accomplishment.”

“There are many great people in our state who look for opportunities to serve their local communities in different ways," said Shane Bellard, Louisiana Rural Ambulance Alliance CEO. "Through ACE4EMS’ Emergency Medical Technician Training Program, James was given the opportunity to better serve his community, and he capitalized on that opportunity. It's just another example of the level of compassion Louisiana citizens have for one another. That’s what makes the people of our state the best in the nation.”

James is currently employed with the Westlake Fire Department. On behalf of the Louisiana Rural Ambulance Alliance- ACE4EMS staff and Board of Directors, congratulations and welcome to the EMS family, James! 🤍❤️

We send our deepest condolences and sympathies to Bayou Blue. We are saddened to hear of those who were lost in the fire, and wish the families and friends peace and comfort during this difficult time. 🙏

Please see below for information regarding smoke alarm installation and replacements.

🌡️Unfortunately, we'll have to enjoy the "cool"er weather while we can this week.

⚠️According to WPC, hazardous heat returns at the end of the weekend, and especially into next week.

🎉 🚑 Happy International Paramedics Day! 🚑 🎉

We commend and thank the dedicated paramedics who work tirelessly day in and day out to serve our communities. Your compassion, skill and commitment to bring comfort and care during the most critical moments are most admirable, and we THANK YOU!

Please take a moment today to recognize and appreciate your paramedics! 💙

Below are the expected conditions each parish and county should prepare for awaiting

Stay safe, everyone.

On this historic day in 1776, our founding fathers brought forth a new nation by declaring independence from Great Britain. May the stars and stripes continue to wave as we celebrate our nation's birthday with friends and family. Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

Our office will be closed for the remainder of the week in observance of the Independence Day holiday, and will resume during normal business hours on Monday, July 8th.

As we get ready to celebrate America's Birthday, let's remember to enjoy the festivities responsibly. Here are some important reminders to keep you and your loved ones safe! Stay safe, Louisiana! 🎉🎉

This is a great safety guide for children swimming in lakes and swimming pools. The color of the bathing suit can make it easier or more difficult to see children while they are swimming. This is a good reminder to always have adult supervision when children are swimming. (Thanks to Praire Lakes Healthcare System.)

🌟🌟🌟 MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT 🌟🌟🌟

What better way to kickoff July than with another spotlight?? This week, we're thankful to highlight East Baton Rouge Parish EMS' annual award recipients!

"Each year, East Baton Rouge EMS holds an Annual Awards Ceremony Banquet to celebrate its employees and the amazing work they do every day. During this Banquet, they honor 1 Paramedic, A-EMT, EMT, and Communications Officer who shows exceptional work ethic and exceeds the duties of the job. This year, the following employees were given the distinguished title of “of the year.”

Paramedic of the Year Allison Sharp has been with the department since 2012. She was recently promoted to Unit Commander and, shortly after, jumped head-first into revamping our FTO program, Agency 360. In addition, Allison is also one of the advisors for our Explorer Post.

A-EMT of the Year Amber Munch started as an EMT in 2021 and advanced her certification to A-EMT when given the opportunity. She strives for excellence in patient care and always seeks to improve her knowledge and skills.

EMT of the Year Chloe Magee began her career at EBR-EMS in 2022 after being a part of our Explorer post when she was in high school. She always advocates for her patients and treats them as family. Chloe comes to work daily with a positive attitude and impressive work ethic.

Emergency Communications Officer of the Year Emily Robillard consistently exceeds the call of duty with unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and commitment to Emergency Management Communications Operations."

📢 We will be spotlighting different providers throughout Louisiana! If selected, you will receive an email from [email protected] on Mondays and will have a week to submit any photos and information to share with our members. If you are interested in being in our spotlight sooner or just have news to share, feel free to email us at any time! 📢

🌟🌟🌟 MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT 🌟🌟🌟

Representing Westwego EMS, meet Mallory Smith!

"Mallory Smith, began her career at Westwego EMS as an EMT-Basic, later excelled through rank completing and obtaining her paramedic certification, and is currently education coordinator and assistant director at Westwego.

Mallory brings a wealth of experience coupled with a vibrant and lively personality. She is recognized for her exceptional patient care and her adeptness at catalyzing positive change through her dynamic leadership style. Her passion for EMS and patient advocacy adds a distinctive and revitalizing dimension to her approach.

With contagious energy and an unyielding commitment to excellence, Mallory has earned respect from peers throughout her career. She possesses a knack for cultivating strong relationships and fostering an inclusive work environment where each team member's contributions are highly valued.

Despite facing numerous unforeseen challenges, Mallory has consistently demonstrated resilience, compassion, and positivity while fulfilling her leadership responsibilities. Mallory is a hard worker and truly an invaluable asset to Westwego EMS."

📢 We will be spotlighting different providers throughout Louisiana! If selected, you will receive an email from [email protected] on Mondays and will have a week to submit any photos and information to share with our members. If you are interested in being in our spotlight sooner or just have news to share, feel free to email us at any time! 📢

🌩⚡️ It's Lightening Safety Awareness Week! ⚡️🌩

Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year. When thunder roars, go indoors!

Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who are struck. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and may need first aid immediately.

✅ Call for help. Call 9-1-1.
✅ Give first aid. Begin CPR if you are trained.
✅ Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available. These units are lifesavers!
✅ If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning CAN strike twice.

Learn more about lightening safety at: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

⚡️ Lightning Safety Awareness Week ⚡️

More than 70% of the lightning fatalities occur in June, July, or August. These months not only have the greatest amount of lightning activity in the U.S., but they are also the months when people spend more time outside enjoying a variety of recreational and leisure activities.

The statistics shown were results from a study conducted by the National Lightning Safety Council and the National Weather Service.

☀️☀️ Happy First Day of Summer! ☀️☀️

As temperatures soar this summer, remember the dangers from excessive heat. Even a short amount of time exposed to extreme heat and sun can lead to heat-related illness, with the very young and the elderly most vulnerable, and can result in a trip to the ER or even cause death if not properly treated.

Experts recommend keeping outdoor activities at a minimum during these times. It's also critically important to make sure children and pets are kept cool during this time of year - do not leave kids or pets in a car for any length of time.

Learn more here: chrome-extensio://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/EmergencyPrep/LDH-HeatRisk-FactSheet-Letter.pdf

Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing dads out there! May your day be filled with laughter, love, and plenty of dad jokes 💙

📢 We only have TWO more opportunities left to support our quarterly membership meetings of 2024! 📢

If you are interested in sponsoring our LAST quarterly meeting in Natchitoches, LA on Nov. 13, 2024, please email [email protected] for more information. All sponsorships have been filled for the August 7th meeting in Bossier City, LA.

Thank you LANREMT for having us at your 2024 Louisiana Education Conference and Expo! We enjoyed the conversations we had and the relationships we created with both attendees and other vendors. 💛💚

Attending the conference but didn’t have a chance to connect? We’ll be here until 4pm, so please stop by!

We are truly saddened by the news of Mr. Richard Zuschlag’s passing. Mr. Richard was a pioneer and a legend in the emergency medical services industry. Emergency medical services and pre-hospital care would not be at the exceptional levels they are at today without Mr. Richard’s vision and dedication.

We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and everyone at Acadian, and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share with you the passing of our friend, mentor, and leader Richard Emery Zuschlag. Richard fought the hard fight that so many with cancer and its complications have endured. While we mourn our extraordinary loss, we are comforted in knowing that he is no longer suffering. He is now in the loving arms of his Lord, in whom he had unwavering faith.

Richard was a much loved and admired agent of change, not only in the state of Louisiana but across the nation. The lives he affected through his vision, generosity, inspiration, and leadership are countless. Whether a friend, employee, peer or patient, all of our lives were changed due to his undeniable determination to make a difference.

His legacy endures through his beautiful family, and in every life saved, every patient helped, and in every battle he waged to ensure that all people had access to high-quality medical care. He never backed down when fighting for the things he loved most: his family, his employees, and the communities he served.

His legacy also lives on in the company he tirelessly worked 53 years to grow and nurture. Acadian Companies is not just a successful organization but also serves as an example of how servant leadership, high integrity and unwavering determination create success, not for one, but for all.

We will forever be changed, forever be grateful, and forever be better because of who Richard was and the lessons and legacy he has left us. He treated everyone with respect and was constantly striving to bring people together for the greater good. It is up to all of us to honor this legacy by living and leading by his example and his faith. Because of Richard, Acadian is stronger than ever, and in his honor, we will carry on his life’s work.

Special thanks go out to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dr. Charles Burnell, Dr. Jason Breaux, Paul Hamilton and the many friends and healthcare providers who attended to him.

Please continue to pray for Richard, his family, friends and all those whose lives have been forever changed by this loss.

Information regarding services will be provided when available. We humbly ask you to please respect the privacy of the family while arrangements are being made.

Are you prepared for Hurricane Season?? The Atlantic Hurricane Season is June 1st - November 30th every year. Ensure your safety during this season by staying proactive and carefully planning.

Be Prepared. Be Safe.

This Memorial Day, the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance honors the duty and sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our country. Our gratitude for their service in defense of our freedom is unending. Never forget. Ever honor.

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🎉🎉🎉 SURPRISE!!! 🎉🎉🎉

The giveaways have been extended throughout the weekend! To enter, make sure to follow the instructions on each post. Also, make sure to LIKE the giveaway post(s) you enter as well. For an extra two entries, please share the giveaway post and tag us! We will announce the winners on Tuesday, May 28th.

Have a great rest of your weekend and good luck everyone! 🩵

GIVEAWAY #3: ONE lucky winners will receive a necklace from Kendra Scott, a 40oz Stanley Quencher and Loops face masks!! To enter, just subscribe to our weekly newsletter! ✨✨

To subscribe, click here: https://www.louisianaambulancealliance.org/blank-3

Thank you Kendra Scott for being a 2024 LAA EMS Appreciation Week donor! Your kindness and generosity do not go unnoticed. Thank you for joining us in celebrating our EMS professionals!

Winners will receive a direct message from the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance page only. We do not have any backup accounts, and if you are contacted by a copycat account (scam account) please block and report them.

GIVEAWAY #2: THREE lucky winners will receive a $50 gift card to RaceTrac!! To enter, thank a first responder in our comments! 🚗 🚗

Thank you Racetrac for being a 2024 LAA EMS Appreciation Week donor! Your kindness and generosity do not go unnoticed. Thank you for joining us in celebrating our EMS professionals!

❤️ Did you know RaceTrac has an every day First Responder offer?! In appreciation of first responders, RaceTrac has an every day offer where they can receive a free hot or cold dispensed beverage in all of our stores. ❤️

Winners will receive a direct message from the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance page only. We do not have any backup accounts, and if you are contacted by a copycat account (scam account) please block and report them.

GIVEAWAY #1: TWO lucky winners will receive a $50 gameplay card to Topgolf!! To enter, just like and follow our page! 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♂️

Thank you Topgolf for being a 2024 LAA EMS Appreciation Week donor! Your kindness and generosity do not go unnoticed. Thank you for joining us in celebrating our EMS professionals!

Winners will receive a direct message from the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance page only. We do not have any backup accounts, and if you are contacted by a copycat account (scam account) please block and report them.

🚑 🚑 HAPPY EMS WEEK 2024!!! 🚑 🚑

Here at LAA, we are so grateful for your tireless commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of your communities. Thank you for answering the call to become medical professionals, and thank you for continuing to answer the call day after day.

With EMS Appreciation Week coming to an end tomorrow, we are excited to announce that we will be doing some giveaways today! SIX EMS professionals will be randomly selected and all winners will be notified on Saturday, May 25th.

Winners will receive a direct message from the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance page only. We do not have any backup accounts, and if you are contacted by a copycat account (scam account) please block and report them.

We're Louisiana EMS STRONG at the Capitol today!!

Celebrating EMS Week! Come and see us at the Capitol. We are excited to be here with ACE 4 EMS, Louisiana Bureau of EMS Louisiana Ambulance Alliance

HAPPENING TODAY: We hope to see you at the Louisiana Capitol FOR OUR EMS Day at the Capitol event!

👟🥽🩹 Happy Safety Tuesday! 🩹🥽👟

Here are some safety reminders for our EMS professionals; thank you for all that you do and protecting yourself in the process!

Happy first day of EMS Appreciation Week 2024!!! Monday is dedicated to EMS Education Day, and what better way to kickoff this week than to highlight some of this year's graduating class?? 👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓👨‍🎓

Thank you Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning for submitting these awesome photos of your students! If there is anyone else that would like to highlight their graduates and congratulate them on our platform today, DM us or email [email protected]. Congratulations graduates, and thank you for answering the call to be EMS professionals!

🌟🌟🌟 MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT 🌟🌟🌟

Representing Plaquemines Parish EMS, meet Kristin LeBoeuf!

"It is with the utmost appreciation and respect she so rightfully deserves, I would like to introduce and recognize Kristin LeBoeuf of Plaquemines Parish EMS, she is more than just co-worker or a paramedic; she is a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light in our professional and personal journeys.

Her journey with Plaquemines Parish began in 1989 and still serves as a guiding light for everyone around her. Her intense understanding of our work and the challenges we face navigates us through even the most complex situations with grace and wisdom.

Kristi embodies the very essence of leadership in its most profound and heartfelt form. She stands out as a shining example of support, selflessness, and immeasurable dedication to the well-being of our team and the residents of the community.

She is a confidante and a beacon of empathy and understanding. With a deep-rooted sense of compassion, she approaches every interaction with genuine care and concern for those around them. Whether it's lending a listening ear during times of struggle or offering words of encouragement in moments of doubt, Kristi consistently demonstrates a level of empathy that goes beyond mere professional courtesy.

But perhaps what sets Kristi apart most is her ability to inspire and empower those around her. Through her words and actions, she has an innate ability to see the potential in each of us, encourages us to reach for the stars and is always there every step of the way to offer guidance and support.

Her unwavering support and understanding for our team has fostered a sense of trust and camaraderie that is truly invaluable. With her retirement quickly approaching, she will be missed immensely but her impact will remain forever."

📢 We will be spotlighting different providers throughout Louisiana! If selected, you will receive an email from [email protected] on Mondays and will have a week to submit any photos and information to share with our members. If you are interested in being in our spotlight sooner or just have news to share, feel free to email us at any time! 📢