The AAA was formed in response to the need for improvements in medical transportation and emergency medical services. The Association services as a voice and clearinghouse for ambulance services across the nation. The Association views pre-hospital care not only as a public service, but also as an essential part of the total public health care system. The AAA’s Mission is: “To promote health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provide research, education and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve.”

What: Nature Coasts EMS is co-hosting a Code Blue Workshop with Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center. Various professionals will discuss conditions that lead to a heart attack, when to call 911, what to expect  in the emergency room,  demonstrations and more.

When: February 28, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

Where: Nature Coast EMS Training Center,  3876 W Country Hill Dr
Lecanto, FL 34461

This workshop is free and open to the public. For more information call Seven Rivers at 352-795-1234.

Blessings in a Backpack provides elementary schoolchildren who are on the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program with a backpack of food to take home for 38 weekends during the school year. Backpack food includes easy-to-prepare, ready-to-eat foods, like granola bars, juice boxes, mac and cheese, and oatmeal. There are 20+ million children in this country who are at risk of hunger.

CASA’s mission is to raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment, and social change. Join us in our vital mission to ease suffering and improve lives that have been shattered by domestic violence.

We hope to support both of these organization with our upcoming Treasures and Treats sale. Our flyer is below with all relevant details. Please join us and show your support for our communities. Looking forward to seeing you there!

From right to left; Misty Boyers, Holly Martin, Wayne Martin, Dawn Taylor, Joe Ghigliotti, Doreen Ghigliotti, Katrina Gillette & JR.

Why should you pull over when an ambulance comes up behind your vehicle?

It’s safer for you and those in the emergency vehicle if they don’t have to maneuver around you, so pull over. 

You would want other drivers to do the same if you or someone you loved was being met or transported by ambulance, and chances are, a life is being saved. Do the right thing and pull over when any emergency vehicle comes up behind you on the roadways. 

 Just an FYI, it is a Florida Law that when any emergency vehicle is pulled off to the right side of the road, you must either move to the left lane if you can, or slow down as much as possible in the right lane.

Happy Holidays! It seems as though the kids just started back to school and now we’re already “decking the halls.”  I want to take this opportunity to remind you that unforeseen accidents usually strike when you least expect it, so here are a few tips to keep safe this season.

This time of year Nature Cost EMS professional team members respond to injuries related to the season. The most serious home injury comes from people falling off ladders. These falls often times result in serious injuries to the head, arms, legs, chest and spine.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, place the ladder on firm level ground and us a spotter.  If someone should fall and become injured, do not delay and call 9-1-1 immediately.  The professionals from Nature Coast EMS will promptly arrive to treat and transport you to the appropriate health care facility.

Be smart with little ones too. When I say little ones, I mean children and pets. (Although I no longer have a small child in the house, however, I do have a new puppy that seems to find the smallest piece of anything to chew on.) Both need to be carefully monitored around Christmas trees, small ornaments, toys and certain holiday plants. Even though the poinsettia is not poisonous, the milky sap can irritate skin and can cause an upset stomach if consumed in large quantities. Other holiday plants cause more worry. Mistletoe berries are known to be toxic and ingestion of the berries causes severe stomach and intestinal irritation, cardiovascular collapse, and even death. Holly berries are also considered dangerous because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stupor when eaten in quantity.

There is more traffic on the road this time of year and that can lead to more traffic incidents. Although it is not illegal to use cell phones while driving in Florida, people have a lot on their minds and may be using cell phones more than usual. Pay close attention to other drivers and remember, that phone call can wait for you to get to a safer environment. This time of year is a fun and festive time with many celebrations. If some are celebrating by consuming alcoholic beverages, always be sure to have a designated driver or utilize of the tow services. Every holiday season, we respond to a traffic accident where alcohol was a contributing factor, many times with tragic results. Please take steps to assure that your holiday festivities stay festive and not tragic. Make this a happy time for you and your family, not one remembered by an accident. 

Be safe and have joyous holiday and a Merry Christmas from all of us at Nature Cost EMS.

Until next year, take care and stay well!

Katie Lucas is the Public Information Officer at Nature Coast EMS. She can be reached at (352) 249-4730 or katie.lucas@naturecoastems.org.  Nature Coast EMS is an accredited non-profit 501(c)3 established in 2000 to provide emergency medical services to Citrus County.  Watch “Every Minute Counts” hosted by Mike Hall, CEO, Nature Coast EMS on WYKE TV at  8:00 p.m. Tuesdays and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.  Some of the information for this article was ascertained from Horticulture & Home Pest News written by Iowa State University Extension specialists in the Departments of Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Pathology.

Eighth grade students were surveyed to determine which career fields were of interest to them and emergency medicine was one of the top choices.  These students were just one of the groups that met with David Majia, Paramedic and Explorer Post Leader of Nature Coast EMS.

Gina Mast in NCEMS Billing & Ray Valdivia- working on haunted hallway at NCEMS Administration building

Angel Vincent and her children Ethan & Landon

 Little Treaters

Hester  Clow, Chief Financial Officer, Dawn Taylor, Finance Assistant and Sharon Pecan, Ambulance Accounts Specialist

By Katie Lucas; Did you know that Nature Coast EMS Emergency Medical Technicians, (EMTs), and Paramedics are actually a critical part of the medical community? 

 In today’s world of emergency medicine, an ambulance is not “just a ride” to the hospital any more. It is, however, pre-hospital medicine. The Nature Coast EMS field team saves lives every day. Our EMTs and Paramedics provide the highest level of emergency medicine available, and through specifically designed courses, are continuously training in the latest in emergency medical procedures.

I have decided it is time to get serious about a diet and more than once I’ve heard the phrase “consult your physician before starting a weight loss program.” This is a very good recommendation because eating habits and food choices change with any diet plan which means blood glucose levels can and will change too. Not that a person’s eating habits is the sole cause, but millions of people are unaware they are at high risk for diabetes.

November is National Diabetes Month and with 25.8 million diabetic people in the United States, I determined it was well worth writing about, plus my new diet, and that my dad was diagnosed with diabetes about five years ago, after a serious illness.   What is diabetes? In simple terms; after you eat, all of the sugars and starches are transformed into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Type 1 is generally diagnosed in children and young adults but with insulin therapy and other treatments those with this form of diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.

There is also gestational diabetes that can occur in pregnancy around the 24th week. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have diabetes after giving birth. But it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice regarding blood glucose (blood sugar) levels while you’re planning your pregnancy, so you and your baby both remain healthy.

The American Diabetes Association created a test to determine if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes. When you know your chances you have the power to take control and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Modify your eating habits, start a daily exercise regimen and maintain a healthy weight. Reduce your risk today and “don’t worry, be happy” and you’ll be healthy. I guess this means starting my diet is a good idea after all. I’ll let you know how it works out.

Take care and stay well!

Left to right: Lori Thompson, Hester Clow, Floyd Mead, Karla Hockert, Lynnette Holsinger (is behind) Gina Mast, Jennie Smith, Katie Lucas, Wayne Martin, Holly Martin & Todd Hockert.