Conference noted::fire_rescue_ems

LKG has an informal "MERT", if anything.  John Whalen (DELNI::J_WHALEN) is
the contact person within the Security group.

There are several EMTs within the LKG site.  However, we're not usually
notified of medicals within the building unless John's not around, and even
then I'd say it's more often the case no EMT is notified.  Security handles
the incident until the local fire department shows up.

LKG has no on-site health services.  Does any site still have a nurse?

Jim

    
    	MERT= Medical Emergency Response Team
    
    	I used to be on the MERT team here in HLO, but I switched
    	to the ERT (Emergency Response Team).
    
    							Scott.
    

    Hi Steve,
           I'm a certified firefighter/NREMT-I with the Hopkinton NH
    fire department. Also a member of our mert team here in Contoocook
    (DOO). We have a full time nurse so I don't get called to many
    medical situations. We do have monthly meetings and training wich
    my experiences add to others information. We do a unique business
    here that leads to a lot of cuts and sprains, however our safety
    record is good when compared to other businesses.
    
                                       Take care,Kevin Lyle

   Any other sites with MERT teams?  (There's apparently no
   central organization or list of teams around...)

   Background: The Nashua NH ZKO site MERT has pagers and some
   basic emergency medical equipment, and security dispatches the
   team to medical calls at the site, and calls for an ambulance
   and -- depending on the nature and the severity of the call --
   the Nashua Fire Department first responders.  ZKO security
   typically brings along additional basic medical equipment in
   a first-in bag to the scene.

   The ZKO site does not have on-site health services coverage.

   The ZKO MERT is comprised of two NREMT-Bs, and an NREMT-I.

   

    
        E.R.T. rules......
    
                          :^)     BJ

    MSO has an on-site nurse, but I've been told she's only here for
    administrative purposes.
    
    As far as I know, there is no MERT team at MSO.
    
    Gail  

    Steve, both myself and Al Hogan are EMT in Alpharetta, GA. site is ALF.
    We used to have a nurse on site, she has been gone for atleast 2 years
    now, and Digital has removed everything including the bandaids.  We are
    both members of the Alpharetta Fire Dept.  We both have jump bags, but
    are cars are parked pretty far from the building.  Facilities used to
    provide one spot for either myself or another EMT, but that is gone
    also.  If there is a situation here in ALF 911 is called and Al and I
    do our best until the equipment shows up.
    
    Regards
    Gary Robinson
    FF/EMT

    
    
    	I inquired about joining the MERT team here in HLO, but they didn't
    need any more people on day-shift. I was also informed that I would not
    be allowed to act as an EMT, only as a first responder. "Liability"
    they said. Not sure if it's a site policy or corporate wide.
    
    
    jim

   The corporate MERT policies are a little odd -- each site's team is
   under the jurisdiction of health services (if there is a local health
   services office) or under the jurisdiction of security (if there isn't).

   There have been some discussions around the "first responder" status,
   particularly given the all-EMT teams.  (No, we're not starting IVs.)

   As mentioned, contact names are of interest, so that we can discuss
   MERT topics across DIGITAL sites.

    At NIO we have an active MERT team. There are two EMT MAST(emt basics)
    on first shift and we cover from 6:30am -5pm. The MERT team here has
    roughly 14-18 members and we are paged by overhead paging; used to
    have beepers... cost cutting. Our team is doing confined space training
    as part of our work here. We have monthly meetings and practice times.
    The Role of an EMT here is as an EMT.. we don't do IV's either.  The
    nurse(yes we have one) is an old EMT herself. So she wants the team and
    our help. We(the EMT's) are on call for all four cores and the
    warehouse. The rest of the team was assigned a core to respond to.
    Local response time from the town is four minutes.
    				Don

    
    
    	I just found out that the MERT's here in HLO can't use an AMBU
    bag! "Can't" meaning they are not allowed to. No oralpharyngeal airways
    either. 
    
    
    

    When I belonged to the CTS (Chelmsford) MERT, they distributed "First
    Aid" kits to all members.  These kits contained a CPR Microshield, as
    well as some miscellaneus bandages.  These shields provide only minimal
    protection.  I don't remember if we had access to an ambu bag or not.
    
    Gail

    
    
    	I'd like to see MERT folks be able to collar, backboard, bag,
    administer EPIpen and even defib (the fully automatic defib machines
    are pretty easy). Just these few, simple things could make a big
    difference to someone. 
    
    
    jim

   I'd like to see OPA, BVM, and oxygen as the corporate standard of
   care (assuming appropriate local licenses and/or certifications are
   in place for the team members).

   Semiautomatic defibrillation would be a logical -- but moderately
   expensive -- addition.  This would obviously be subject to local
   medical control and local medical protocols.

   The present DIGITAL standard of care for MERT teams is that of the
   first responder, and with the new first responder curriculum, that's
   even a lower standard than it was a couple of year ago.  This is what
   I'd like to see changed -- with this, and with other equipment changes
   in some facilities, we're lowering the standard of care of MERT team,
   which I find troubling.

    re:14 Steve that is exactly what happened in ALF when the nurse was
    downsized.  We have two certified GA. EMT'S on site, but we have to
    take a hike to get our jump bags or wait for our rescue truck to
    arrive.  The care level for the employees has declined, and the work
    force is getting older.  Since I just turned 51 and am one of those
    EMT'S the emergency care level in ALF does concern me.  It seems this
    is a corporate decision.
    
    Regards
    Gary