Camp Carilion Visits CCPT

Carilion Clinic hosted the 3rd Annual Camp Carilion this week in the Roanoke Valley. This is an exciting opportunity for middle school students to explore health care career opportunities by visiting different departments throughout our hospital. This year's theme was cardiac care, both in the hospital as well as in the EMS system. The students were able to follow the treatment course of a heart-attack vicitim from the the time of a 911 call all the way through to the cardiac rehab. course. The students also learned the vaulable signs and symptoms of a heart attack and how to assist if needed.
On Day 2 of the camp, the students joined us here at CCPT to become officially certified CPR providers. This turned out to be a favorite of the week for the group (including our staff!)

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Two Carilion Clinic Employees Receive Regional EMS Awards

Recently, the WVEMS Office held their Regional EMS Appreciation Picnic and Awards Ceremony, during which 11 EMS providers, physicians, and organizations were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the local EMS communities.
Our very own Romney Smith received the award for Outstanding EMS Pre-Hospital Educator. Romney has been an active EMS educator locally, regionally and across the state for nearly thirty years. His passion for EMS education is evident in any class with which he is associated. Romney is the First Lieutenant-Training Officer of Newport Volunteer Rescue Squad and employed as a flight medic by Carilion Clinic Life-Guard 11.
The Regional Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS was given to Carilion Clinic's Paul T. Frantz, MD. This award is for an outstanding contribution to EMS by an individual, corporation, business, news media or program in providing financial, material, education or other tangible or non-tangible assistance to support and benefit the local, regional or state EMS system. Dr. Frantz, nominated by three separate individuals, is the driving force behind Carilion Clinic’s Heart Alert program. Frantz has dedicated his life to cardiothoracic medicine and he realizes the importance of the inclusion of EMS as a necessary step to saving more lives. Dr. Frantz’s tireless dedication to his patients and the Heart Alert program made him the obvious choice for this award. Local EMS leaders presented Dr. Frantz with his award at this week's Carilion Clinic Heart Alert meeting.
Pictured from left to right: Charles Coffelt-CCPT, Jason Ferguson-Botetourt County Emergency Services, Dr. Paul Frantz-Carilion Clinic, Dave Bishop-Roanoke City Fire & EMS, Billy Duff-Roanoke County Fire & EMS.
The staff of CCPT would like to offer a huge congratulations to both Romney and Dr. Frantz for their achievements. Their dedication is another example of Carilion Clinic's commitment to supporting excellence in our EMS communities.

Carilion Clinic's New Life-Guard 10 Participates in Shattered Dreams Program

Earlier this week, the Life-Guard 10 crew took our new EC-145 to Riner, VA for Auburn High School's annual "Shattered Dreams" program. This is a mock DUI crash presented by the New River Valley Driving School, along with Christiansburg and Riner Rescue Squad (featuring the Junior Squad), Riner Fire Department, YOVASO, Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, VA State Police, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard, Harmon's Service Station, Horne's Funeral Service, and PSK 107.
The goal of the event is to teach high-school teens the dangers of drinking and driving. The Life-Guard crew is proud to be part of this event every year, and would like to thank the volunteers from Christiansburg and Riner Fire & Rescue for making this such a successful event!

CCPT Safety Officer Chosen to Attend International Conference May 13th-15th

We are pleased to announce that our own Safety Officer, Kevin Peters, has been given the distinct honor of being chosen to attend the 2009 RETTmobil (Mobile Rescue) Conference in Fulda, Germany. Kevin is one of 24 people chosen to represent the EMS Safety Foundation at the conference this year. This select group was chosen at an international level, and attendees will be travelling from such countries as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, to name a few.
Kevin's ongoing work with Dr. Nadine Levick, Founder and Research Director, EMS Safety Foundation, allowed him the opportunity for this unique chance to represent Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation at a national level.

About the Conference
RETTmobil is the event for information and further training of emergency service personnel as well as EMS leaders and field rescuers. More than 300 exhibitors, and 20,000 visitors from throughout Europe and internationally were at the 2008 RETTmobil event. There exist many possibilities to experience modern technology, innovative products, practical services, 70,000 square meter of exhibition sites, as well as test tracks in an off-road course on an additional 50,000 square meters of large open areas.
RETTmobil today is a platform for innovations internationally, to the most diverse technical topics from emergency service, medicine, organization, and logistics. Participants will meet colleagues, deepen existing knowledge, test products and become acquainted with the newest innovations.

CCPT, a CAMTS accredited organization, is very proud of our commitment to safety. We are very excited about Kevin's selection for this opportunity, as well as the information he will bring back to our Company, regarding the latest in safety innovations for our industry.
Please join us in congratulating Kevin on this accomplishment as well as wishing him safe travels next week to Germany!

Farewell Celebration for the Bell 412

Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation (CCPT) invites the community to join them as they throw a “retirement party” for the Bell 412.

Friday, April 17th from 5pm-7pm.
o See the Bell 412 up close.
o Take photos with the Bell 412.
o Meet the CCPT flight crews.
o Enjoy food, fun and music provided by Q-99.
o Children are especially welcome.

We are also accepting guests on Saturday, April 18th from 9am-11am.

Since the Carilion LifeGuard medevac program launched in 1981, no aircraft has served the region longer than the Bell 412 helicopter flown as “Life-Guard 10”. From 1990 to today, the 412 has safely flown almost 10,000 patients to their destination and faithfully served her pilots and crew.

For almost 20 years, people in Western Virginia have associated the unique shape of the 412, the low rumble of the twin Pratt & Whitney engines and the distinctive “whomp-whomp-whomp” of the four rotor blades, with a commitment to saving lives.

After a careful review, CCPT determined that patients' future needs would be best served by purchasing a new helicopter to replace the Bell (which is leased from Air Methods).

While CCPT staff will miss the Bell 412, they understand that the new helicopter -- a Eurocopter 145 -- will ultimately be an improvement for patients, with state-of-the-art safety and medical technology on board. The new Life-Guard 10 will also be a bit smaller and faster leading to slightly faster response time and improved safety when landing at the scene of an accident or heart attack.

The Bell 412 will not be scrapped or mothballed! The 412 will be completely refurbished by Air Methods and continue to serve as a civilian transport helicopter.

Read more about Life-Guard at http://www.carilionclinic.org/Carilion/Carilion+Clinic+Life-Guard.

CCPT EMS and Bike Teams Join Breast Cancer Awareness Event

We were proud to support Carilion Clinic's Positively Pink Parade last weekend at Valley View Mall. This is an annual event that raises awareness for breast cancer and is a wonderful venue for both survivors and their loved ones to come together for a great cause. The rainy day didn't stop the enthusiastic crowd from proceeding as planned. CCPT sent several of our finest to provide medical standby coverage as well as cheer everyone on!
Thanks to all who came out and participated. We especially like the show of pink ribbon support-looks like a great addition to our uniform!

CCPT Participates in Local Disaster Drill

***The Following information is related to a DRILL ONLY***

CCPT has currently dispatched 2 ambulances to assist with a Haz-Mat Drill in Roanoke City. Media updates for the drill situations are as follows:

There has been a train derailment along Patterson Avenue in the City of Roanoke. There has been an ammonia release in the 2400 block of Patterson Avenue with the plume moving Southeast across the Norwich area.
Crew are now in the process of evacuating the area in the area of the Norwich community. Evacuees will be taken to Patrick Henry High School. For more details see www.roanokealert.com for updated announcements.

Currently, the CCPT Senior Director is staffing the Carilion Clinic Command Center and the CCPT PIO is staffing the City JIC at the City Manager's office. Check back here for updates also.