NCAR&EMS 2002-Apr-10 Newsletter
April 10, 2002

• Commanders Message
• Vice-commanders Message
• 2002 Convention
• Brotherhood Obituaries
• Beaver Lane Fire & Rescue Dedicates New Rescue Truck
• 41st Annual NC Rescue College
• ACEP Announces EMS Week Theme

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE

As those of you that know me can attest, I am a stickler for getting the job done; doing it right and by the book. That is why a lot of my messages are on training and schools. But, this time I am on equipment. As a follow up to last month, the new ERT Standards for the Light Certification require a very minimal change in equipment from what you carry. One thing I hear occasionally is that the equipment is distributed among different trucks. Nothing wrong with that as long as it is the same squad. Another item is the GVW of the vehicle(s). Our rules that state the vehicle must not exceed the manufacturers GVW are there for your protection. If you are in an accident with death or severe bodily injury it is very likely your vehicle will be weighed with the equipment on it as it was in the accident, not unloaded. When my squad speced out our last truck, we first decided what we wanted to carry and got the truck to fit. I personally found out from the vendor or actually weighed every piece of equipment we wanted on the truck. Carabineers, 100' sections of rope, fire extinguishers, life vests, etc. Determine what you want the truck to do and please don't let someone who sales rescue trucks sell you a truck that is over weight with just the chassis, bed and two technicians before any equipment. They should be able to tell you what the chassis weighs, the body and any options before the truck is ever purchased. Get this in writing, add your equipment weight, technicians and then add an additional 10% for whatever might be added later. Maybe next month I will have a shorter message, but until then......Join the Brotherhood.

Remember.............If it is worth doing, do it right.

VICE-COMMANDER'S MESSAGE

Our next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for April 13 and 14, 2002. This meeting will be hosted by Polk County Rescue Squad in Columbus, N.C. These meetings are for the State officers, Board of Directors and Committee members to come together to transact Association business. These meetings are open to all NCAR&EMS members and I would like to encourage any members to attend. The Association belongs to its members and these meetings are a good way to find out what your Association does and what it offers to its members. Weekly, we are being told that members are not being informed about the benefits, changes, dates, policies and other important information necessary for members to know. As members, you are welcomed to attend.

The Benevolent Brotherhood is available for all NCAR&EMS members. We have approximately 30.03% of our members enrolled. We will all die one day and this unexpected event can become a very heavy burden on our loved ones. This burden can be lessened if you are a member of the Brotherhood. A one (1) time fee of $4.00 is the first step to lessen this burden. When a fellow member passes, a $1.00 fee is collected. This means your family could receive $4,500.00 when you pass if you are a member and the Association Office receives a death certificate. With the cost of everything increasing at a rapid pace, where can you find an offer as beneficial and that will fit into everyone's budget? I challenge all members to climb aboard and assure a greater peace of mind for your family.

Just to remind you.....scholarship applications must be sent to the Association Office by March 31, 2002.

Best of luck to all who have applied.

Also, remember...........ERT!!!!

I hope everyone is learning to COMMUNICATE. A lot of good experiences come from listening to others and then letting them know your ideas.

Hope all had a Happy Easter.

Convention 2002

September 19-20-21, 2002...............New Bern, North Carolina

BROTHERHOOD OBITUARY

BEAVER LANE FIRE & RESCUE DEDICATES NEW RESCUE TRUCK

The new truck was dedicated on February 7, 2002 with an open house at the station. Commander Robert Poe commended the department for its dedication to invest in the required equipment and training to provide the level of care the citizens of the community deserves.

41st ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA RESCUE COLLEGE

APRIL 26 - 28, 2002 and MAY 3 - 5, 2002. Sponsored by the N.C. Dept. of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal, in cooperation with Gaston Community College and the N.C. Association of Rescue & EMS. To be held at the Gaston Training Center, Gaston College, 321 North, Dallas, N.C.

GRADUATE CLASSES - Structural Collapse (April 27-28, 2002). Prerequisites: Must be a graduate of Rescue College.
Confined Space Rescue (May 4-5, 2002). Prerequisites: Must be a graduate of Rescue College.
LEVEL ONE: First Year Rescue College (April 27-28, 2002). Subjects: Rescue Rigging (FIP 4512) for ERT certification. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Rescue Ropes and Knots.
LEVEL TWO: Second Year Rescue College (May 4-5, 2002). Subjects: Special Operations Structural Collapse, Emergency Building Shores, Breaching and Breaking, Lifting heavy objects, and final drill. Prerequisites: NC Rescue College Level 1 (1996 or after).
LEVEL THREE: Third Year Rescue College (May 4-5, 2002). Subjects: Ladder Rigging (FIP 4523) for ERT certification. Prerequisites: None.
LEVEL FOUR: Fourth Year Rescue College (April 27-28, 2002). Subjects: Trench Rescue. Prerequisites: None.
AQUATIC RESCUE TECHNICIAN: April 26-28, May 3-5, 2002. Prerequisites: ERT certification, Firefighter I or II certification. Completion of a recognized High Angle Rescue School. Completion of a recognized water training course.
ERT BRIDGE COURSE/FIP 4520. April 26-28, May 3-5, 2002. Attendance on both weekends is required for certification. Prerequisites: NC Fire and Rescue Commission Basic Rescue Technician Certification.

ACEP ANNOUNCES EMS WEEK THEME

EMS WEEK will be May 19-25, 2002. The theme is "EMS-Help is a Heartbeat Away". The American College of Emergency Physicians have chosen a special patriotic theme this year to recognize the heroic actions of the many EMS, fire and other public safety personnel during and following the events of September 11, 2001. Many of the promotional products for EMS Week will be a special logo recognizing the service of all responders. For additional information, please visit our website and click on our Bulletin Board.