Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services

08/17/2023

See below an educational opportunity on Implicit Bias presented by the Wellness Equity Alliance and the Kentucky Coverdell Team!

08/07/2023

See below information on the 2023 Kentucky Statewide Trauma & Emergency Medicine Symposium!

07/28/2023

Grant Opportunity Ending Soon!

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Medicaid Services has a grant opportunity involving the Kentucky Community Crisis Co-Response (CCCR) Program! Letters of Intent are due by August 2nd by email to [email protected]. These letters are non-binding. To learn more about requirements, eligibility, the program in general, or whom to ask questions to, please go to our website and reference their presentation:

07/26/2023

The Kentucky EMS for Children Program shares news of another certificate presentation for one of the 36 services participating in the 2023 Voluntary EMS Pediatric Recognition Program.

Florence Fire/EMS is garnering praise for its commitment to improving pediatric emergency care.  During Tuesday’s Florence City Council meeting, Kentucky Emergency Medical Services for Children Project Director Morgan Scaggs commended […]

07/20/2023

The following will likely impact transport to Norton Hospital Downtown, 200 E. Chestnut St.

The ramp to enter the main ED will be closed for repairs July 26th-July 30th, 2023.

Detour:

All EMS agencies will be required to use the Non-emergency entrance to Norton Hospital off Floyd St. (see map below)

If patient transport is of an emergent nature please use the two way radio to radio in a report prior to arrival to allow ED staff time to walk over and es**rt EMS.

Once inside the hospital take the elevator on the non-emergency entrance to the second floor. Follow the hallway to the garage entrance of the hospital. Turn right and go through doors to enter the staff elevator bank. Use the elevators to go down to the lower level. Once on the lower level follow signs to the ED.

07/17/2023

Save this Date!

07/05/2023

Registration is now live!

Registration is OPEN for the 2023 EMS Leaders in Kentucky Summit (LINKS)! EMS LINKS is a special educational and networking event held by the Kentucky Office of Rural Health geared toward EMS leaders, educators, and administrators. Whether you are presently managing or leading an EMS organization, or aspire to do so in the future, this is the perfect event for you! COST FOR REGISTRATION IS $50.00! Go to https://bit.ly/2023emslinks RIGHT NOW to snag your spot for this year's event, and keep an eye out here for more info to come shortly, including more on what LINKS is and what we're going to be discussing this year! Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services

06/27/2023

Job opportunity!

The Okolona Fire Protection District is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Paramedic, Advanced EMT, and EMT-B.

Salary: Paramedic - $70,538.26, Advanced EMT - $55,729.02, EMT-B - $53,363.20
Participation in KPPA CERS Retirement $200,000.00 - Employer Paid Life Insurance Single/Family Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Paid by the Dept.
Deferred Compensation Plans
Tuition Reimbursement
12 hour Schedule

If Interested, please fill out an application at https://www.okolonafire.org/employment-opportunities.html Please email the application to: [email protected]. You may also drop off the application at 8501 Preston Highway, Louisville, Ky. 40219. Mon - Fri 8:00am - 4:00pm.

06/22/2023

Make sure your EMS agency has what it takes to provide the specialized care children require by using the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project’s pediatric checklist and toolkit: https://bit.ly/prehospitalpedsready

Your EMS agency Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) can also contact [email protected] if they have questions or need help accessing the KYEMSC Basecamp.

06/09/2023

KBEMS has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an individual to serve in a contract capacity in the Deputy Director position.

You can view the RFP by following the steps below:
Go to https://vss.ky.gov/
View Published Solicitations
Keyword Search "338"
Link to RFP-179-2300000338-1

Written Questions due by: 2:00 PM 06/05/23
Anticipated Commonwealth Response to Written Questions 06/15/23
Proposals Due by: 2:00 PM 06/26/23

The Deputy Director will assist the KBEMS Board, committees, task forces and workgroups in researching issues and developing recommendations for action by the Executive Director or Board. Prepares and presents reports to the Board and Executive Director. The Deputy Director will be tasked with the agency re-licensure and supervision of the field staff. The Deputy Director will serve as the Executive Director in his or her absence.

06/02/2023

The following will likely impact transport to Louisville hospitals for some services.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists all lanes on a section of Interstate 64 West in Jefferson County will be closed beginning this week for crews to improve the roadway. The closure will start from the I-264 interchange (mile point 12.6) to Story Avenue (mile point 6.6). I-64 West will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, June 2, to 6 a.m. Friday, June 16.

Traffic impacts:
• Traffic will be diverted from I-64 West to I-264 East or West ramps.
• The ramps from I-264 East and West to I-64 West will be closed.
• The I-64 West on-ramp from Story Avenue will remain open.

This project includes asphalt pavement milling and resurfacing, and replacing guardrails. The concrete pavement in the Cochran Tunnel will be removed and replaced with new asphalt. This project will extend the life of the interstate and will improve driver comfort on the roadway. The last rehabilitation project of I-64 was completed in 2001.

Signs notifying drivers of the upcoming work and detour route will be placed in the area. Motorists should adjust for increased travel times and expect delays while traveling the detour route. Signed detour route (depending on destination): I-264 East to I-71 South, then reconnect to I-64 West. Upon completion of the I-64 West closure, motorists can expect a closure of I-64 East to begin on June 16.

The date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Visit goky.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5.

05/25/2023

The jury is in! Congratulations to Ryan Hunter of Air Methods Mount Sterling, Montgomery County Fire-EMS Department, and Red Star who has been named the 2023 Rural Kentucky EMS Provider of the Year! The annual award recognizes someone who works or volunteers at a rural Kentucky EMS service and who demonstrates exemplary pre-hospital patient care and dedication to their community.

Hunter is a flight paramedic and base lead for Air Methods KY2 out of Mt Sterling, Kentucky. He responds to rural Eastern Kentucky to transport critically ill patients to definitive care. As the base lead, he leads and manages the other clinicians at KY2. Hunter is also a part-time paramedic for Montgomery County Fire and EMS, a flight paramedic in the Army National Guard, and a wilderness paramedic for Red Star. He was one of the first paramedics in the nation to obtain an advanced certification in wilderness medicine (WP-C). Red Star responds to emergencies in and around the Red River Gorge.

Hunter is research and education oriented, and is always up-to-date on the newest and best practices in the field of EMS. He holds multiple advanced certifications and works in many different capacities in EMS, including ground, flight, wilderness, and military.

He is part of the research committee for Air Methods, identifying and interpreting data on the best practices for air medical transport. He is also a preceptor training up and coming flight providers from across the nation.

Hunter is always willing to teach advanced and critical care medicine to fellow providers!

Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services

05/25/2023

FREE STROKE CEUs!!! Stroke and Sleep Apnea: What You Need to Know

The 2023 Stroke Awareness Month Lecture Series, continues on Thursday, 5/25/2023 at Noon (EST), (1100 am CST) via Zoom.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor will be presenting: Stroke and Sleep Apnea: What You Need to Know

https://uky.zoom.us/my/harold.brown (Passcode: SCN)

This lecture will provide FREE CME, CNE, and EMS continuing education hours.
Please share and visit Their website for more information: https://scnetwork.ukhc.org/2023-stroke-awareness-month/

Please note, everyone must submit the appropriate sign in sheet and evaluation to receive credit.

05/24/2023

Want to know more about the role of the Prehospital Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator? There is a free webinar (with CEs) later today!

Join us in our celebration of EMSC Day during National EMS Week. This 60-minute webinar will highlight pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) also known as pediatric champions for EMS agencies with a 30-minute Q&A session to follow. National pediatric EMS experts will present on the role PECC...

05/24/2023

On EMS for Children Day, the KY EMS for Children Program highlights EMS agencies and EDs that have made a commitment to improving pediatric emergency care. Thank you to all who are working every day to provide the best care possible to the children of Kentucky!

When a child is sick or injured, EMS and Emergency Department providers are there to help. EMS for Children Day May 24, which is part of EMS Week, is an opportunity to raise awareness about improving the care children receive in an emergency.

The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS), through its Kentucky EMS for Children (KYEMSC) Program, has established Pediatric Readiness programs to recognize EMS agencies hospital emergency departments who have committed to meeting national benchmarks to improve the care provided to children when they need it most.

Pediatric Readiness in EMS

“Children account for less than 5 percent of the patients seen by EMS in Kentucky. While we are happy the number is low, it also means we have less direct experience in meeting their unique needs. We have to intentionally practice our skills, review our protocols and keep equipment ready to ensure kids receive the right care when it matters most,” said KYEMSC Project Director Morgan Scaggs. “These agencies have demonstrated that they are committed to improving emergency pediatric care and they are raising the bar for everyone, and we couldn’t be happier to recognize and celebrate them.

5 or more consecutive years:
• Burlington Fire Protection District
• Fern Creek Fire and EMS
• Georgetown Scott County EMS
• Hebron Fire Protection District
• Jessamine County EMS
• King’s Daughters Medical Transport
• Madison County EMS
• Medical Center EMS
• Murray-Calloway County EMS
• Oldham County EMS
• Pikeville Fire Department
• Somerset Pulaski County EMS

2-4 Consecutive Years: AMR Owensboro-Daviess County EMS, Anderson County Emergency Services, Boyle County EMS, Bullitt County EMS, Carlisle County Ambulance Service, Henry County EMS, Hopkinsville Fire & EMS, Independence Fire District, Lexington Fire Department, Louisville Metro EMS, Mayfield Graves County Ambulance Service, McLean County EMS, Pendleton County EMS, St. Matthews Fire & Rescue, Whitley County EMS, Woodford County EMS

1st Year: Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS, Baptist Health Corbin, Deaconess Health System, Florence Fire and EMS, Ohio Muhlenberg EMS, Pleasure Ridge Park, Shelby County EMS, Spencer County EMS

This is the sixth year for the EMS recognition program and all participating agencies will need to reapply annually to demonstrate their continued commitment to excellence in pediatric emergency care. KYEMSC commends the agencies above for their dedication to meeting the needs of the children in their communities.

Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department

“Data from the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) tells us that most hospital EDs see fewer than 15 children a day and only a small number of those patients are critically ill or injured. On the NPRP assessment that measures pediatric readiness, Kentucky has an average score of 71 on a 0-100 scale,” said Ms. Scaggs. She further explains that “compared with EDs in the lowest quartile of ED readiness (those scoring between 0-58), initial care in an ED in the highest quartile (those with scores between 88-100) was associated with 60% lower in-hospital mortality among injured children and 76% lower mortality among children who were ill.”

Many Kentucky EDs are working daily to improve the care they provide to children. The following EDs have applied to the KYEMSC program for independent verification that they have met a high level of pediatric readiness and have been recognized by the program as a Pediatric Ready Emergency Department: (listed alphabetically)

• Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center
• Ephraim McDowell James B. Haggin Hospital
• Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital
• Norton Children’s Hospital
• Pikeville Medical Center
• St. Claire Regional Medical Center
• Taylor Regional Hospital
• UK Good Samaritan Hospital
• University of Kentucky Makenna David Pediatric Center
• University of Louisville Hospital
For more information about services provided by the KBEMS and KYEMSC year-round, visit kbems.ky.gov

05/23/2023

The Kentucky EMS Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 at 1100 EST at Juniper Hills Park, 800 Louisville Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601. For more information, go to facebook.com/KentuckyEMSMemorial

The Kentucky EMS Memorial Foundation, LLC. was started to honor and recognize those EMS professionals of Kentucky that have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We are currently in the development stages of making this a reality.

05/23/2023

Happy EMS Week Kentucky! Thank you for all you do for your communities every week of the year. Stay safe!

05/17/2023

CAPCE credit opportunity!

For our folks near the TN border or those that want to travel, the TEMSEA Conference will be going on July 18th-July 21st and offering CAPCE credits. For more information and to register, please visit www.tnemsea.com.

05/11/2023

Congratulations to Jessamine County Emergency Medical Services for their feature in the 2022 National CARES Annual Report! The Kentucky CARES program is proud of what you've accomplished for your community and continuing to improve survival after cardiac arrest. See the post below for a link to the report and more information!

-Brennen Younger, State CARES Coordinator

The Kentucky Resuscitation Academy Lighthouse Community in Jessamine County has been highlighted in the national CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) 2022 Annual Report! We're so excited that Kentucky and Jessamine County Emergency Medical Services has been included in the CARES Annual Report for the first time! Click the link to read more about their awesome service! https://mycares.net/sitepages/uploads/2023/2022_flipbook/index.html?page=16 Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services Resuscitation Academy

05/05/2023

Hiring Full Time Paramedic 24/48 shift rotation
EMS ONLY NO FIRE REQUIRED

Gallatin Co. EMS is currently accepting applications for full-time paramedic. Application packets can be picked up at Gallatin Co. Judge Executive office during normal business hours at 200 Washington, St. Warsaw, KY 41095, by calling 859-567-5691 and an application can be emailed to you, or you can email your resume to [email protected].

Job requirements:
• Current Operators License
• KY Paramedic Certification
• Current ACLS/PALS
• Current CPR Certification
• HIV/AIDS Training Awareness
• Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Certification
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
• Current TB Skin test
• Current HEP B Vaccination
• Ability to pass pre-employment physical
• Ability to pass criminal and driving background checks
• Ability to work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays

Benefits included as follows:
• CERS Retirement (non-hazardous)
• Health Insurance 100% paid coverage
• Dental Coverage (paid by employee)
• Vision (paid by employee)
• Life Insurance ($15,000 paid by employer)
• Paid vacation time (after 1 year)
• Paid sick time
• Starting pay: $59,975
• Holiday pay

Additional benefits available: (at employees’ expense)
• Deferred Compensation
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA and Dependent Care)
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• Whole life Insurance
• Texas life Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Cancer Protection

05/04/2023

***Ambulance Bay Construction***

Beginning May 8, the UofL Health – UofL Hospital ambulance bay will only be accessible from East Madison Street. The entrance on South Hancock Street will not be accessible by vehicle or foot. There will be no parking in the ambulance bay or the front end of East Madison Street (in yellow). The helipad will remain open and in use. However, there will be no pedestrian access from this side of the ambulance bay. Anyone exiting the ambulance bay must exit to the left toward East Madison Street. Construction is expected to last around a month.

04/21/2023

***Traffic Impactor***

Due to Saturday’s (4/22) Thunder Over Louisville events, there will be a number of traffic flow changes and partial closures coming into/out of the downtown Louisville area including around some hospitals.

There's a partial closure of Market Street, affecting the corridor down through UofL Hospital and Norton Children’s Hospital/Downtown. While not “closed”, from 21:00-01:00 (on 4/23), between 6th Street and 10th Street the traffic will be reversed from eastbound traffic to westbound traffic.

More detailed descriptions and maps of the areas with new traffic patterns, can be found on the following sites:

[Courier Journal] https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/kentucky-derby/festival/2023/04/17/downtown-road-closures-for-thunder-over-louisville-2023/69955998007/

[WHAS11] https://www.whas11.com/article/traffic/roads-closed-restricted-access-no-parking-thunder-over-louisville/417-7ad0c0d9-9428-4429-bf69-a9960bcf0611

If you and your 500,000+ closest friends are heading downtown this weekend for Thunder Over Louisville, chances are there's going to be some traffic.

04/21/2023

In 2019, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) was awarded the First Responders- Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (FR-CARA) grant by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The goal of the FR-CARA grant in Kentucky is to expand naloxone training and dispensing for first responders and to increase awareness for ongoing harm reduction activities and personal safety measures for opioid exposures. First responder agencies in communities are now eligible to request NARCAN® for free via the FR-CARA grant through SEPTEMBER 2023. Note: SAMHSA’s definition of First Responder for the FR-CARA grant is any persons who is trained to administer NARCAN®.



Please see the below for links to associated FR-CARA forms and the attached ‘Limited Time Fact Sheet’ for additional information regarding eligible agencies and counties, NARCAN® training, steps to requesting NARCAN®, and reporting NARCAN® usage.


NARCAN® Request Form: https://ky.readyop.com/fs/4ojs/51c1570d

NARCAN® Data Collection Form: https://ky.readyop.com/fs/4ojt/39c8d90c


If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Mariem Winfrey at [email protected]

04/21/2023

Okolona Fire Protection District is hiring PRN all positions! See the flyer for more information.

04/20/2023

See below a training opportunity. Register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/region-iv-special-pathogens-training-course-tickets-592801153207

04/20/2023

Registration for the 2023 Kentucky Harm Reduction Summit has now opened. Please see additional information below.

04/10/2023

*UPDATE 1153 EST* University of Louisville hospital is now back to normal operations.

We've been reached out to and until further notice, due to a surge in trauma patients, please try to divert from University of Louisville Hospital unless necessary or a Level I Trauma patient. We will advise when this changes.

03/14/2023

See the flyer below for details and registration information! Registration closes April 21st.

The Kentucky Resuscitation Academy will be held on April 26 and 27 at the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau. Space is limited, so make sure to register BEFORE April 21 at https://conta.cc/3FoP0Xt! Click on the flyer below for more details:

03/02/2023

See attached flyer for a continuing education opportunity through University of Louisville on April 5th, 2023! Further questions can be directed to the contact information listed on the flyer.

03/02/2023

Check out this Hands Only CPR class through Spencer County EMS!

02/02/2023

The list of agencies that have completed the 2023 EMS for Children Survey is included in the comments.

01/19/2023

Each year, the KY EMS for Children Program must complete a survey of all EMS agencies in the state. The data gathered is required for federal reporting, is part of a nationwide quality improvement effort, and helps guide the national and state EMSC programs.

Thank you to the agencies that have already completed their survey! Communication regarding this assessment was sent to the agency Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) or to the agency Director. If you have questions about accessing or completing the survey, please contact the EMSC Program Administrator, Morgan Scaggs at [email protected]

01/12/2023

URGENT ROAD CLOSURE ALERT: I64 East at the 48 MM closed until approximately 8 pm per KSP.

01/03/2023

Come join our team as a Certification/Licensure Specialist! Apply today at the link below!

Administrative Specialist II3117931151510

12/29/2022

You’ve been asking and here it is! The providers set to expire on December 31st by provider level:

EMR - 53 Providers Expiring (168 Renewed; 24% Attrition Rate)
EMT - 1,119 Providers Expiring (3,764 Renewed; 23% Attrition Rate)
AEMT - 41 Providers Expiring (210 Renewed; 16% Attrition Rate)
Paramedic - 383 Providers Expiring (1,978 Renewed; 16% Attrition Rate)

1,596 providers are set to expire in 2 days as of this morning, December 29th, @ 9AM EST. 6,120 providers have already renewed their Certification/License (21% Attrition Rate for 2022).

12/27/2022

As of today, December 27, 2022, approximately 1,767 providers have still not renewed their EMS certification/license and are set to expire on December 31st! If you still need to complete your renewal application... you have 4 days!

12/12/2022

Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want!

12/12/2022

KBEMS will be holding a special called Executive Committee meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th @ 3PM EST. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss The EMS Compact. Meeting details can be found at the link below.

12/08/2022

KBEMS and the Board of Directors are please to announce our new Executive Director, Eddie Slone.

Eddie began his career in EMS as an EMT in Southeastern Kentucky before attending EKU and receiving an Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Care in 1994. After completing class, Eddie worked for Frankfort Fire and EMS for 22 years. While at Frankfort Fire and EMS, Eddie had the opportunity to gain both field and administrative experience. For the past 4 years Eddie has worked for KBEMS as a Field Inspector, the Director of Field Operations, and most recently the interim Executive Director.

12/07/2022

Have you completed your KY EMS provider renewal yet? If not, you only have 24 days left if your certification/license expires 12/31/22. After that, you'll have to go through the reinstatement process!