News and information from Arkansas EMT Association
The Arkansas Instructor Coordinator Society held their yearly retreat in Little Rock on June 22, 2013. The Retreat brought national educators to Arkansas. NAEMSE Implementation of the National EMS Education Standards was designed to provide a framework upon which EMS Educators will build curricula and assessment based on the National EMS Education Standards. The transition to standards-based education is a process that begins with a clear understanding of what education standards are and how to develop benchmarks upon which curricula is designed and competency assessment measures are performed.
The workshop was designed to examine the standards themselves for clarity and understanding. Interactive sessions reviewed ways to develop curriculum, classroom activities and lessons that address the content of the standards in ways that enhance student learning. Lastly, the workshop addressed the manner in which student learning is assessed and measured from an outcome-based approach. This is essential for the accurate measurement of student proficiency according to the standards; and will present strategies through which an instructor will maintain accountability for student learning, and a system for continuous quality improvement.
Another Spring Fling has come and gone. If you were there, we certainly appreciated you and if you weren’t, we missed you.
We had several new events this year including an EMS Challenge, a Paramedic/EMT Competition, a First Responder Competition and a Bass Tournament. The EMS Challenge was a fun event that had the participants laughing at each other and with each other. The 1st place team were Mike Berry/Greg Russell, 2nd place team were Tony Lunsford/Justin Womack and 3rd place team were Scott Wiley/Thomas Fultz. All three teams were from Evergreen Packaging. There were no entries in the Paramedic/EMT Competition. The First Responder Competition winners were 1st place team Thomas Fultz/Scott Wiley, 2nd place team Bruce Henry/Kevin James, and 3rd place team Tony Lunsford/Justin Womack. These three teams were also from Evergreen Packaging. The Dumas Fire and Rescue taught an Extrication Class for everyone who competed in the EMS Challenge.
We had some really great lectures, good food (we feed approximately 75 Friday and Saturday), and lots of fun. Air Evac and Pafford Air Ambulance brought their helicopters for the participants to view and talk with the pilots. It was a fun time for all.
We want to thank everyone who helped make it a success this year through their help and donations; Dumas Ambulance Service, Ricky Helton’s Donut Shop, Donald Reed and his Camden crew, Pafford Air Ambulance Service and the crew, Dumas Fire Department, Evergreen Packaging, Fairfield Federal Credit Union and all the workers and vendors. Hope to see all of you at the Parade of Lights in Little Rock on May 22nd.
Ronald Russell, Region 5 Director
Penney Russell, Board Member at Large
The Arkansas EMT Association was a sponsor of the 2013 Midwest First Responder Conference which was held February 22nd,23rd and 24th in Eureka Springs and put on by Eureka Springs Fire & EMS .The three day event included special attractions such as Dr. Todd Baker, author of Baghdad ER, and an overview of Joplin’s tornado response. The hands-on classes featured items such as rope rescue, an overturned tractor and auto extrication. Many relevant topics were covered including current drug overdose trends, violent encounters and modern equipment usage. One of the highlights of the conference was a special two hour simulated school shooting response complete with a real school building and victim actors. Fire service personnel were also treated to a confidence building obstacle course.
Coordinator Bob Pettus estimates that the conference attendance totaled just short of 150 people. Based on the success of this year’s conference, ESFD has already begun work on the fourth annual Midwest First Responder Conference. More information can be found on the Eureka Springs Fire & EMS website @ www.eurekaspringsfire.org.
Here’s a photo album from this year’s EMS Conference in Hot Springs, Ark. Click the “Read Full Article” link to view the entire album. To enlarge an image, just click the thumbnail of that image.
Check out the photos from the vendor hall at the 2012 EMS Conference in Hot Springs, Ark. Thank you to all of our vendors and attendees who made the conference a big success.
New this year, Meet & Greet our vendors
Here is a photo album of the winners of the AEMTA’s annual Valsalva Bowl competition which was held at the 2012 EMS Conference in Hot Springs.
Here is a photo album of the winners of the AEMTA’s annual Paramedic Competition which was held at the 2012 EMS Conference in Hot Springs.
Here is a photo album of the winners of the AEMTA’s annual Industrial EMT Competition which was held at the 2012 EMS Conference in Hot Springs.
Here is a photo of the winners of the AEMTA’s annual First Responder Competition which was held at the 2012 EMS Conference in Hot Springs.
1st Place First Responder Competition
The AEMTA Lifeline is a publication of the Arkansas EMT Association (AEMTA). This Web site provides news and information of importance to members of the association. Lifeline is edited by Michael Drost (aemta4lifeline@yahoo.com). AEMTA strives to promote the professional status & encourages continuing education for First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians. We recognize the skills […]
The 2019 AEMTA Symposium & Trade Show theme this year is about First Responders Mental Health and EMS Suicide Awareness along with BSI-Scene Safety.
Here are 3 links that discuss “Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders”
Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders – Wednesday January 2nd, 2019
Study reveals roadblocks to mental health counseling in first responders
Research Analysis: More than 1-in-20 EMT deaths are due to suicide
Thomas Norton, Sr., 65, of Hot Springs, went to be with the Lord on January 26, 2019. He was born September 29, 1953 in Hot Springs to the late Sanford and Lola Norton. Thomas was a member of Lakeshore Heights Baptist Church. Thomas enjoyed western movies, starring John Wayne and was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.
Loving survivors include his wife, Karen Norton, of Hot Springs; son, Thomas (Teresa) Sanford, Jr., of Magnet Cove; brother, Randy Norton, of Hot Springs; step-daughters, Marcie (Stephen) Newberry, of Jonesboro, Sarah (Jason) Saragusa, of Pea Ridge, Elisabeth (Joe) Flowers, of Oark and Angela (Toby) Hibbs, of Conway; and 7 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home with Pastor Horace Gray officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Below is the schedule for the 2019 Conference, and the link to register.
Following high school, Darrel began his 41-year career in the
trucking industry. He also raised Santa Gertrudis cattle in
Glencoe, AR until retirement, in 2008.
Once retired from Wal-Mart Transportation, Darrel moved to
Greers Ferry with his wife, Darla, who he married in 2008. He
served as a first responder and driver with the Greers Ferry EMS
and Prim Volunteer EMS Fire Department. He and Darla also
enjoyed traveling, boating and riding motorcycles together. Two
of Darrel’s great passions were his Harleys and his hot rod. His
pride and joy was his 1940 Willys coupe, which won multiple
awards at car shows.
Darrel was a pie maker extraordinaire, and made an especially
good pecan pie. He also enjoyed spending time with his two
dogs, Ivan and Harry and his cat, Huey.
Darrel is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his former
wife, Carol Roberta Williams. He is survived by his wife, Darla,
his son, Steve Moss, his daughters, Debbie Hudson, Dana
Batterton, and Amanda Fryar, as well as numerous
grandchildren.
Darrel was a very hard-working man, with a loyal circle of
friends. His easy going demeanor and wry sense of humor will
be missed by many.
Mr. Dewayne Dee Kirker of Newport, Arkansas departed this life on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at the age of 63. He was born July 7, 1955, in Newport, Arkansas, the son of Elmer D. and Allie Mae (Shields) Kirker.
Mr. Kirker was the owner/operator of White River Ambulance, was an EMT, CPR instructor, and a volunteer fire fighter for over thirty years. He served as Diaz Fire Chief for over twenty years. He was member of the Cherokee Church of Christ, where he taught Sunday school and prepared the church bulletin every Sunday. His hobbies included collecting coins, collecting ambulance and fire memorabilia. He loved working in his yard and was a very selfless person and he never met a stranger. Mr. Kirker was a 1973 graduate of Newport High School and earned his diesel mechanics certificate.
Mr. Kirker was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his mother, Allie Mae (Shields) Kirker, of the home; one sister, Betty Jane Kirker, of Newport; many cousins; his best friends, Deanna Long and staff of White River EMS; and his special dog, Rusty.
Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Gracelawn Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home Friday, 9:00 a.m. to service time.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Dewayne Kirker Memorial Fund, 1900 Malcolm Avenue Newport, Arkansas 72112.
Christmas is a joyous time with family gatherings, parties and the birth of our savior, Jesus. As Emergency Medical Services Professionals we see people at their foulest time of their life. In this joyous time of the year, we continue to offer hope and care in the homes, roadways and nature. Working the profession we have been educated to perform, we bring expectation and compassionate care to the hurting public. It seems that the call that impacts us all is the suicide patient. Some ask, “Is Suicide More Common at Christmas Time? In December 20, 2017, an article in Psychology Today stated this, “People are most likely to commit suicide around Christmas time. False, Contrary to popular belief, the suicide rate peaks in the springtime, not the wintertime. This is probably because the rebirth that marks springtime accentuates feelings of hopelessness in those already suffering with it. In contrast, around Christmas time most people with suicidal thoughts are offered some degree of protection by the proximity of their relatives and the prospect, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, of ‘things getting better from here’. “
I take time during the Christmas season to remember loved ones who are not here to celebrate with us. It can turn toward the darkness but we should remember to look to the light.
John 8:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Like the star on the top of our Christmas Tree it gives light to the room, Jesus brings light to a lost world. The wise men followed the star to find the King of Jews. We see this in Matthew 2 , Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Like EMS brings hope, Jesus brings hope and new life. That hope began 2000 years ago when Mary gave birth to Jesus in a town of Bethlehem of Judea. Not in a hotel room but in a stable. Not laid in a bed but a manger. That tiny baby grew to a man to serve as the perfect sacrifice for all mankind. Remember God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit loves you! Remember Him during this season.
My heart is heavy today thinking of the people who died in natural disasters in the past few months. As I write this, the deaths count stands at 139 people. I am speaking of the fires that ravaged entire neighborhoods in Paradise and other California towns, and the hurricanes, Florence and Michael that caused destruction in South Carolina and Florida. These people were warned and for whatever reason they choose not to head the warnings.
In 2005, I was with a group of students from Northark College on Dauphin Island when tropical depression Cindy approached from the Gulf of México. As I was not a native of the gulf I asked if we should evacuate the Island. Local’s all told me, “No, it would be a little blow.” I stayed in the house I had rented on the western end of the island. It started raining and the wind started to blow around 9 pm by midnight the house was shaking and the wind was roaring. I went out to move my vehicle and it was hub deep in the Gulf. I looked water in the front of the house and water in the back, no dry land to be seen. When the morning came, the island residence that I had asked was not home but during the night they had evacuated. If I ever find myself on the coast and they say storm I’m heading inland! I learned two valuable lesson. Don’t trust the local’s an if the officials say go, GO!
As Christians we have an obligation to warn others that destruction is coming. You can read about it in Ezekiel 33 New International Version (NIV)
33 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’
The Message is simple, Jesus is coming soon and I warn you to get your hearts and minds under his saving grace. As sure as our EMS License expires every two years, Jesus is returning for his people. Please head this warning because if you are not ready you will be lost. I love you and you have been warned!
Stay safe!
KC
This is an announcement made by the Arkansas Ambulance Association
This past Saturday, we learned of the sudden death of H. Stephen Williamson, an iconic EMS leader for more than 40 years. H. Stephen Williamson was the president and chief executive officer of Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) since the Authority began operations in 1978, and served for over 39 years. Under Williamson’s guidance, EMSA grew into Oklahoma’s largest EMS provider and one of the country’s most effective ambulance systems, achieving the standing of top 1% of ambulance services nationwide with accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Due to his visionary leadership and passion for service, EMSA provided outstanding patient care, saving countless lives throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and the surrounding counties. Prior to his tenure at EMSA, he served as administrator of Enid Memorial Hospital. He was a graduate of the University of Tulsa, earning a B.S. in Finance, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to his death, Steve was the Chief Financial Officer at Pafford EMS, the largest ambulance service provider in Arkansas.
Williamson and his wife Rebecca recently moved to Hope, Arkansas and continued their work with Pafford EMS. In honor of his devotion to EMS, providers along the route from Hope to Tulsa, OK, where memorial services will be held, are asked to stage units or join the procession. The procession will begin at Brazzel Funeral Home in Hope at 4:30 AM traveling I-30 to Little Rock, then I-40 to Oklahoma.
More specific timelines will be posted as final details are locked in. Please share this post and help inform others. Let’s pay our respects to a true industry leader.
STEPHEN’S OBITUARY
Stephen Williamson, 68, of Hope, Arkansas, formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away suddenly on November 3, 2018 at his home.
Preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Williamson, father, Hershel Williamson, and first wife, Pat Williamson, Steve is survived by his best friend and wife Rebecca Williamson (Smith); his two adored daughters Jennifer Thomas (Jason) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Ashley Schneeberg (Matt) of Jenks, Oklahoma; his brother, Mark Williamson (Theresa) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and his five step children, Blake Burruss (Rachel), Krista Sands, Holly Chapman (Joel), Sarah Lyn Smith and Jay Darrin Smith. He was an exceptional grandfather to his beautiful grandchildren and step grandchildren, Asa and Will Thomas, Kate and Ava Schneeberg, Barrett Burruss, Addysion Sands, Brycelyn Wiedel, and Gabe Chapman. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, a niece, and his aunt, Blanche Wilson.
H. Stephen Williamson was the president and chief executive officer of Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) since the Authority began operations in 1978, and served for over 39 years. Under Williamson’s guidance, EMSA grew into Oklahoma’s largest EMS provider and one of the country’s most effective ambulance systems, achieving the standing of top 1% of ambulance services nationwide with accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Due to his visionary leadership and passion for service, EMSA provided outstanding patient care, saving countless lives throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and the surrounding counties. Prior to his tenure at EMSA, he served as administrator of Enid Memorial Hospital. He was a graduate of the University of Tulsa, earning a B.S. in Finance, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to his death, Steve was the Chief Financial Officer at Pafford EMS, the largest ambulance service provider in Arkansas.
Steve was a revered national leader in EMS. He held numerous national and state leadership positions including President of the American Ambulance Association, President of the Coalition of Advanced Emergency Medical Systems, Governor’s Appointee to the Oklahoma Emergency Response Systems Advisory Council, and President of the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XX.
Family will receive those wishing to pay their respects at a lunch and visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at Fletcher Hall (attached to the church). Services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. at Parish of Christ the King Catholic Church, 1520 South Rockford Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120. Internment at Calvary Cemetery 9101 South Harvard, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s honor may be made to Bishop Kelly High School, 3905 South Hudson Avenue Tulsa, OK 74135 and the Code Green Campaign, P.O. Box 15365, Spokane Valley, Washington, 99215. Code Green advocates for mental health-, PTSD-, and suicide awareness for EMS.
Steve touched countless hearts over the course of his extraordinary life. He will be forever loved and missed by all his family, friends, and colleagues.
FEBRUARY 5, 1988 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
Justin J. Lambert, 30, of Beebe, died September 18, 2018, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
He was born February 5, 1988, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, the son of Jennifer (Day) and Jeffrey J. Lambert. He married the woman to whom he often referred to as the “love of his life,” Taylor, on May 21, 2016.
From a young age, Justin felt the call to serve. His great love of people, the pride in his country, and his need for adrenaline helped to set the course of his life. After graduating high school from Academics Plus Charter School in Maumelle, Justin served in the US Air Force as a Logistics Manager, having been recognized many times for his dedicated efforts. It was a career he would continue after his years of service, working for Staley Technologies. Most recently, he was a personal trainer at 10 Fitness in Little Rock and Bryant, and an EMT at MEMS in Little Rock and LifeNet in Hot Springs. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Bryant.
Justin loved life and was the greatest cheerleader to his friends and family, and was always quick to offer encouragement, advice or assistance. His tireless work ethic, infectious smile, generous spirit, and genuine concern for humankind has been witnessed by everyone who met him. He loved cars, bar-b-que, and his friends. Above all, he was a wonderful family man who loved being a husband and a father.
He is survived by his wife, Taylor; daughter, Charlotte; mother, Jennifer (Chris) Johnson; father, Jeff (Wrenetta) Lambert; sister, Nina (Andrew) Holub; brother, Dalton (Brooke) Lambert; sisters, Elayna Lambert and Stacey Johnson; his mother-in-law, Naomi (Jamie) Cantrell; his father in law, Sam Spikes; a family of four nieces and one nephew, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Gerald Lambert; and maternal grandparents, Elmer and Geraldine Day. Visitation will be Friday, September 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock.
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 22, at 9:00 a.m. at First Assembly of God, 4501 Burrow Drive, North Little Rock. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park.