EMSA OKLAHOMA

More than a dozen new Paramedic students at Gordon Cooper Technology Center traveled to EMSA headquarters in Oklahoma City to get an inside look at EMSA’s state-of-the-art training resources.

The students were able to see EMSA’s new hyper-realistic manikins and how they play a role in the way we train. The group learned about EMSA SimTEP and how we are utilizing simulation technology to train our field providers and prepare them for what they will see in the field.

Cold and flu season is here- which means now is the best time to get your flu shot!

Last week, EMSA administered 47 flu shots to city employees, including Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, members of Mayor Holt's staff, OKC City Councilmembers, and their staff. Take a few minutes to become familiar with the symptoms of a cold vs the flu and book your flu shot.

Halloween is here and EMSA wants it to be a fun time for everyone!

Before trick-or-treating, there are a few tips to make sure your little ones have a safe Halloween:
• Make sure trick-or-treaters are visible to traffic using glow sticks, reflective tape, etc.
• Check the length of costumes to avoid tripping hazards.
• Check masks for proper visibility or opt for face paint.
Happy Halloween! https://bit.ly/4hqEC34

EMSA safety reminders ahead of Halloween Halloween is less than a week away, and while it’s a fun night, EMSA said parents should use this time to prepare for a safe holiday.

When a traumatic injury occurs, Paramedics and EMTs are usually first on scene to provide necessary care.

Trainees in EMSA’s in-house EMT program, EMSA Advantage, are taking the knowledge they obtained in the classroom to practice their diagnostic skills and treat “patients” during scenarios.

The trainees only have a few more weeks until they sit to take their NREMT exam to become nationally registered EMTs.

Advancements in medicine happen every day, that's why training never ends at EMSA.

Each month, every EMSA team member takes part in team meetings to refresh their skills and their knowledge about our medical protocols and procedures.

This month, EMSA Paramedics and EMTs practiced their skills on hyper-realistic manikins and were graded on how they responded to a variety of scenarios. EMSA crews were judged on how quickly they identified problems ranging from pregnancy complications to drug overdoses and how accurately they were able to treat those conditions.

It is National First Responders Day where we celebrate and honor the sacrifices made by those who serve our communities. Thank you for all that you do on a daily basis!

Safe driving is something we preach and teach at EMSA.

Each year, EMSA EMTs drive more than 1 million miles to serve the citizens in EMSA’s Western and Eastern Divisions.

To recognize their spotless driving records, these nine EMSA EMTs were awarded ‘Good Driving’ pins. Congrats to Jon King, Dakotah Cross-Johnson, Luke Sandoval, Emily Berry, Jon Lambert, Timothy Whitmire, Travin Esselstrom, Lucas Defibaugh, and Bobby Pritchett.

Trainees in EMSA’s in-house EMT program, EMSA Advantage, had their first taste of EMT life on an EMSA ambulance.

Advantage Trainees recently completed their first clinical rides with experienced EMSA EMTs and Paramedics to see how their lessons in the classroom are used in real-life scenarios. After returning to the classroom, the future EMTs in Instructor Jacob Trevino’s Tulsa class surprised him with a special tribute- mustaches to match Jake's signature style.

Celebrating the best in EMS!

This week, EMSA’s 2024 Stars of Life were honored at the Oklahoma Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life Banquet in Tulsa. This event commends the dedication and service of EMS providers and support staff from across our state. In three weeks, the EMSA Stars will travel to Washington DC where they will be honored with EMS colleagues from across the country.

Pictured left to right are EMSA Paramedic and Clinical Services Specialist from Oklahoma City, Andrew Watson, Health Information Manager Keri Taylor from Oklahoma City, and Eastern Division Communications Center Manager Tom Smith from Tulsa.

Please share a celebratory message with our Stars in the comments!

EMSA joined dozens of other organizations at ‘Mission: Life Launch’ to help high school sophomores in Pottawatomie County think about careers in the future. During the event, EMSA Recruiter Michael Williams and EMSA Special Events Coordinator Riley Howard met with hundreds of high school students, taught them a little bit about pre-hospital medicine, and how to perform sidewalk CPR.

Halloween is just around the corner and our EMSA crews got into the spirit a little early this year!

This past weekend, EMSA team members were out in force in Tulsa for the BooHaHa Parade on Brookside. During the event, our crews handed out candy to thousands of visitors and hosted a touch-a-truck for young kids at the event. Thanks to everyone who came out to this great event. Happy Halloween!

EMSA medics can handle anything - even calls that involve more than meets the eye.

Recently, EMSA Paramedic Justin Calloway and EMT Mariah Arnett responded to a person suffering from traumatic injuries. When they arrived at the scene, they realized the patient had lost a lot of blood and needed to be transported to the hospital immediately.

After moving the patient to the ambulance, the patient’s heart stopped beating. After medics performed CPR, the patient’s pulse returned & the EMSA crew administered whole blood and Tranexamic acid to slow the patient’s bleeding.

Following treatment at the hospital, the patient was released without any deficiencies. As a result, Justin and Mariah were awarded their first pins for a traumatic save.

While you can’t stop a natural disaster from happening, the best thing to do is stay prepared.

Recently, EMSA was one of the agencies invited to participate in the VA’s OKC Natural Disaster Medical System’s Functional Exercise.
During the exercise, EMSA medics worked alongside hospital staff, volunteers, and medical agencies to triage dozens of ‘patients’ who were flown to Oklahoma City following a flooding event in Iowa. The exercise helps organizations work on their communication skills, determine jurisdiction, and practice their triaging skills in a safe, low-pressure environment.

Fall is here so temperatures are cooling down across the state.

From the start of the year, EMSA Paramedics and EMTs have responded to 722 heat-related illness calls and transported 431 patients to local hospitals.

The calls were split almost evenly between the Tulsa and OKC areas.
Stay safe out there, Oklahoma!

Happy Friday!

EMSA wishes everyone a safe and happy weekend!
Photo credit: Jessica Williams

They did it!

Last week, 12 EMTs graduated from EMSA’s in-house Paramedic program in the Eastern Division. This group has spent the last 11 months learning all of the necessary protocols and procedures to become EMSA Paramedics.
They are now preparing for their next challenge- the NREMT exam to become nationally certified Paramedics.

In honor of World Restart Heart Day, we wanted to shine a light on how CPR and defibrillation can have a positive impact on patients suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.

CPR, especially if it is performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, according to the American Heart Association.

Recently, EMSA Paramedic Kayla Belmarez and EMTs Ryan Stroder and Daniel Goodwin responded to a possible cardiac arrest. When they arrived at the scene, Kayla took over on chest compressions while Ryan worked to stabilize the patient’s airway. After checking the patient’s pulse, they realized his heart was in ventricular fibrillation. At that point, they used a defibrillator to reset the patient’s heart rhythm.
After the patient was released from the hospital, Kayla, Ryan and Daniel received ROSC pins to symbolize the patient’s return of spontaneous circulation.

When a patient feels like an EMSA Paramedic or EMT is their advocate, it can make a medical emergency feel a little less scary.

A patient called EMSA to make sure that EMSA EMTs Brooke Vaughn and Austin Cartwright were recognized for their actions during her call. The patient said Brooke and Austin listened to her needs, were caring, and had wonderful attitudes. She went on to say that they made sure she was safe at home and was not alone.

The patient said she wanted them to know how grateful she was for their understanding and compassion following her medical emergency.

EMSA Paramedics and EMTs always work to help our patients go home to their families, even if the patient has four legs instead of two.

Recently, EMSA Paramedic Savannah Gonzalez and EMT Ariel Norris responded to a car crash in Tulsa. After examining the driver and finding that he didn’t need treatment, they turned their attention to the car's passenger- a very sweet, but anxious dog . Thankfully, the dog wasn’t injured but needed someone to watch her until her owner could get to the scene of the accident.

Savannah and Ariel waited to make sure the pup was reunited with her owner - and kept her from having to spend time in the animal shelter.

History is being made at EMSA!

Last month, EMSA EMT Jacob Trevino was promoted to the position of EMT instructor for EMSA’s in-house EMT program, EMSA Advantage, in the Eastern Division.

The promotion marks a first by EMSA’s Clinical Services Department- the promotion of an EMT to a leadership role.

After 11 years as an EMT, Jacob set himself apart by showing a passion for developing new recruits and helping them succeed as an EMT-Preceptor at EMSA. We are sure that passion will transfer over to the classroom as he continues to teach dozens of future EMSA EMTs.

Congratulations, Jacob!

Being patient centered is a core value at EMSA, and it means a lot when other first response agencies reach out to compliment our crews for living our values.

Recently, a supervisor with the called EMSA to compliment EMSA Paramedic Michael Mashburn and EMT Chad Neisler.

The supervisor said he responded to an emergency in downtown Tulsa alongside Michael and Chad. During the call, he said the EMSA crew showed extreme patience and wanted them to know that their kindness and helpfulness were noticed by others.

Good job to Michael and Chad for being a shining example of what it means to be an EMSA medic!

Truck 395 is officially serving the residents of Oklahoma City!

Last month, EMSA Paramedic Quincy Lee and EMT Brendan Fryrear were able to sign their names under the hood as the first crew to use the new ambulance. 395 is one of 15 new trucks that are expected to hit the road in our Western Division this year.

Take a look at the future of EMSA in Tulsa!

This is the newest group of EMSA EMTs who were accepted into EMSA’s in-house Paramedic program. Over the next 11 months, these hardworking EMTs will learn the skills and procedures necessary to succeed as Paramedics. Good luck as you embark on the next chapter of your EMS career!

Like all of Oklahoma, EMSA is getting ready to Thunder Up this season!

As fans prepare for the start of the NBA season, EMSA crews and training staff with the Oklahoma City Thunder have been working to keep players safe and healthy.

Last month, EMSA Paramedics met with trainers for the Thunder to run multiple realistic medical simulations to be prepared for whatever may happen during the season. Thunder UP!

Some days are more memorable for our medics than others - and believe us, this was one of the most memorable days for one of our Tulsa crews.

Recently, EMSA Paramedic Savannah Gonzalez and EMT Jarett Briscoe responded to a home to help a patient who had fallen. When they arrived, they realized the patient was stuck on the floor and all of the doors were locked. Fortunately, the patient told them to enter the house through the cat door.

Savannah was up for the challenge and was able to squeeze through the tight space and get to the patient.

We'll always go the extra mile to make sure our patients get the care they need!