Enhanced EMS Program Planned for Fall 2004

Enhanced EMS Injury Prevention Module

In 2003 a unique program was launched in New Hampshire with the intention of creating new skills, programs and opportunities for Emergency Medical Services. The first program of its kind in the nature focused on the role of Emergency Medical Services in Injury Prevention at the community level. The first class of 11 participants learned about the basics of the science of injury prevention. The core of the injury prevention opportunity was based on community traffic safety as motor vehicle crashes make up the largest single proportion of EMS calls and the eyewitness knowledge and experience of first responders is a powerful tool for prevention. Injury prevention training was intimately tied to the development and implementation of a community based project. The result was 8 community projects implemented in their communities that helped expand the role of EMS in prevention and the recognition of EMS in the community as a prevention resource.

The first class ended during EMS week of 2004 with a poster presentation of the individual community and overall project.

The second class is planned for the fall of 2004 and additional modules related to falls prevention, hazardous materials, infectious disease and EMS leadership are under development.

The project is a cooperative effort of the Safety and Health Council of New Hampshire, Keene State College and the New Hampshire Intersections Project.

For more information contact Dr. Sabato at jsabatoj@ix.netcom.com or 603-537-1903.

Enhanced EMS, Emergency Public Health Program

OSHA Education Center

Keene State College

175 Ammon Drive

Manchester, NH 03103-3308

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