Mission Statement: Northern California EMS provides leadership and excellence in emergency medical services in partnership with our community.

The following statement has been developed between Nor-Cal EMS and S-SV EMS:

Emergency Medical Responders (formerly called First Responders) currently certified by Nor-Cal EMS working in the S-SV EMS area:

Current Emergency Medical Responders certified by Nor-Cal will continue to be recognized by S-SV EMS until such time as the S-SV EMS Emergency Medical Responder program is implemented. At the time of recertification please contact S-SV EMS. You will then recertify with S-SV EMS or be directed to Nor-Cal EMS.

Emergency Medical Responder Instructors approved by Nor-Cal EMS who plan to conduct a class in the S-SV EMS area:

Emergency Medical Responder Instructors approved by Nor-Cal EMS who plan to conduct a class in the S-SV EMS area need to contact S-SV EMS prior to beginning a class. This is to coordinate Emergency Medical Responder training into the S-SV EMS certification process.

July 6, 2010 — Mucosal Atomized Devices and Allowed Medications

A memorandum was released by Dr. Eric Rudnick, MD, FACEP, FAAEM on July 6, 2010 advising the usage of two medications that have been approved for delivery intranasally. Download the memorandum HERE.

July 2, 2010 — LIFEPAK Recall

LIFEPAK 20 and LIFEPAK 20e External Defibrillator/Monitors by Physio-Control Inc.: Class I Recall Due To Power Supply Failure – A failure on the power supply assembly can result in either "No DC power" or "No DC or AC power". A failure of DC (battery) power can result in the inability to deliver defibrillation therapy if the device will not turn on using DC (battery) power and no AC (line) power is available. Click HERE for the complete recall information.

July 1, 2010 — EMT 2010 Regulations in Affect

Assembly Bill 2917 AKA EMT 2010 passed and the new regulations started July 1, 2010. If you haven't heard what's going on, click HERE for more information We'll keep you posted. Training material available.

June 30, 2010 — CAA Member Alert

Palmetto GBA, the Medicare Administrative Contractor for California, has posted a notice on its website, and has provided special notice to the California Ambulance Association (“CAA”), that its medical review department will be performing “service-specific probe reviews” of ground and air ambulance services in Southern California. Download the full alert HERE.

June 23, 2010 — ALS Provider Agencies AEMTS With Optional Scope

This letter will serve to clarify optional scope questions that have arisen in recent days.

First, the utilization of laryngoscopy is not allowed under the current statues. This includes direct visualization to confirm placement of a perilaryngeal device (combi tube or King Airway).

Download the MEMO.

June 18, 2010 — Epinephrine Shortage

There is currently an Epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL Emergency Syringes 10 mL LifeShield Abboject syringe with 1.5 inch, 21-gauge needle (NDC 00409-4921-34) shortage. Read the article here.

June 17, 2010 — Changes in Scope of Practice Effective — Affects EMT-II Providers as They Transition to AEMTS

This notification is to clarify misunderstandings regarding the transition from EMT-II to AEMT (Advanced EMT). Although the scope will be substantially the same, there are clear differences. I recently clarified these changes with the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Download the MEMO.

MaY 25, 2010 — Affect Upon Paramedic Accreditation Whan a County Moves from One Local EMS Agency to Another

A memorandum was released by Dr. R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM Director on May 25, 2010 advising of the status of paramedic accreditation when the county in which the paramedic is working transitions from a single county EMS agency to a regional EMS agency or from a regional EMS agency to become a single county EMS agency or from one regional EMS agency to a different regional EMS agency. Obtain your copy HERE.

Zofran PowerPoint Available Now for Training

Available now is a PowerPoint (or PDF) for use in providing training for the soon to be released new medication, Zofran. You may use this presentation or develop your own based upon ours.

Verify an EMT Emergency Medical Responder, Nurse, or Medic

Available now: you can verify if an EMT holds a current Nor-Cal EMS license HERE. You will need to sign in to use it. If you don't have an account yet, register today to gain access to our special programs!

EMS Specific Guidance to Establish Protocols & Procedures for Standard Barrier and Droplet Precautions for Influenza-like Illness (ILI)

Consistent with CDPH guidance, EMS workers providing care for patients with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) should use appropriate standard barrier precautions and droplet precautions, based upon the circumstances of the case. Click HERE for Guidance #1.