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L I N E SSpecial Deliveries Can Happen Anytime to Volunteer EMS Pros

P u b l i s h e d q u a rt e r ly b y

It’s something many EMS

professionals do not experience in their entire careers, but for these two members of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, it happened twice in one shift.

Nick Rice: Dwayne and I had

been running rescue together for two years.

We were on duty one night in early September, and my sister, who was visiting from college, was with us observing. It had been a pretty quiet night until the first call came in at about 3 a.m.

Dwayne Morris: It came from across town. The woman had already gone into labor. By the time we arrived, firefighters were delivering the baby, so Nick and I took care of the mother. This was her first pregnancy, and she planned to go to the hospital, but she was only in labor for a few minutes. She was in shock and needed IV fluids, so we stabilized her and transported her to Sentara Princess Anne.

Nick: It was about 5 a.m. by the time we made it back to the station, and we laid down for no more than five minutes when the second call came in. This one was practically across the street, so we made it there in a matter of a few minutes. The coincidence that it was another woman going into labor didn’t really hit us until later; we simply reacted.

Dwayne: When we arrived, the mother was there with a five-year-old child; she was waiting for her husband to return from work about 45 minutes away, but she started laboring much sooner than expected. She was on the floor of an extremely small bathroom, so only one of us could fit inside with her.

Nick: The priority was to get the baby out, cut the umbilical

cord and make sure both the mother and baby were stable. I stood outside the bathroom door assisting Dwayne, and everything happened extremely fast.

Dwayne: It was a difficult situation, because we had to keep the area sterile and follow all normal procedures in such a confined space. I had no choice but to set up my sterile field on top of the toilet seat while she lay on the floor. The baby came almost immediately, and it was having some difficulty crying at first, so I took care of it while Nick tended to the mother.

Nick: The mother was bleeding quite a bit, but we had both of them stabilized quickly.

Dwayne: This was my first time delivering a baby, and it was overwhelming, but I would love to do it again. Some people

run from maternity calls, but it’s by far my favorite thing to do.

Nick: Dwayne was a total professional. He was calm and collected the whole way through, which is so important. We work so well together, we don’t even have to talk through everything. We just feed off each other and know exactly what to do. I couldn’t replace him with any other partner. He’s a great guy who really knows his stuff.

Dwayne: Delivering a baby only requires the basic life support skills you learn in training, but there’s nothing you can do to prepare yourself for the emotional excitement. In most emergency situations, it’s best to compartmentalize your

emotions, but not in this case. It’s an exciting time, something to celebrate, and a chance to be part of a miracle.

Dwayne: At our next meeting, we were presented with a certificate signed by the Chief and a Stork Award for the second call. This was my first, but Nick’s fourth!

Nick: I actually delivered another baby about three weeks later, so I have five Stork pins from this year. I feel very lucky, and proud that my friends at Sentara Princess Anne have given me the nickname “Storky.”

Inside this Issue:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MRT Attains National Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .VBEMS Adds Three Staff Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EMT Graduation - December 5

We didn’t realize what a big deal our back-to-back calls were until we heard others

talking about it. Word spread throughout the City, and we started receiving calls from

supervisors, other crews and squad members. Nobody could believe it. Apparently, this has never happened in the history

of Virginia Beach EMS.- Nick Rice

Nick Rice and Dwayne Morris from Virginia Beach VRS

Mission: To provide services to the community which preserve life, improve health and promote the safety of citizens and visitors who live, learn, work and play in our community. This mission is accomplished through a systems approach focused on providing timely responses; high quality patient care services; public awareness and education; proactive safety interventions; and all hazards readiness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vision: We are a leader in the emergency medical services field and the community is confident in our services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Virginia Beach Department of EMS Call StatsYear 2010/2011 Calls for serviCe 4th Quarter 2010 9,3971st Quarter 2011 9,058 2nd Quarter 2011 10,017 3rd Quarter 2011 10,357

Total 38,829

T h e C o u n C i l o f v i r g i n i a B e a C h volunTeer resCue squads, inC. inCludes:

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue SquadDavis Corner Volunteer Rescue SquadChesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue SquadPrincess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue SquadCreeds Volunteer Rescue SquadKempsville Volunteer Rescue SquadBlackwater Volunteer Rescue SquadVirginia Beach Volunteer Rescue SquadPlaza Volunteer Rescue SquadSandbridge Volunteer Rescue SquadVirginia Beach Volunteer Water Rescue Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rescue Lines is published quarterly by the Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads and funded by the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, Inc. Send suggestions for consideration to the attention of Ashley Martin of Rubin Communications Group at the following email: ashley@rubincommunications.com.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chief, Emergency Medical ServicesBruce edwards

OMD, Emergency Medical Servicesdr. stewart Martin

President, Rescue CounciltoM Harp

Executive EditorJoel ruBin, ruBin coMMunications Group

Writer/EditorasHley Martin, ruBin coMMunications Group

Graphic DesignJessica Bensten, ruBin coMMunications Group

Contributing PhotographerBoBBy Hill, VirGinia BeacH rescue squad Foundation

477 Vi k i n g dr i V e , su i t e 130V i r g i n i a b e a c h, Va 23452 757-385-1999

2 F o r i n F o r M a t i o n o n B e c o M i n G a V o l u n t e e r , V i s i t w w w. v a b e a c h e m s . c o m

MRT Attains National Certification The Virginia Beach EMS Marine Rescue Team (MRT) has been granted the National

Aquatic Rescue Response Team Certification by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA). Obtaining this certification required an extensive evaluation and review by the National Certification Committee, and the MRT was one of only two agencies nationwide to successfully meet USLA standards. This certification has already resulted in tremendous recognition of our MRT, and we are proud to have them as part of the Virginia Beach EMS family.

The Virginia Beach Department of EMS is proud to announce three new team members. Ruby Christian, who previously worked at a local printing company for more than 30 years, was hired as EMS Contract Specialist. Her tremendous organizational and people skills are among the many reasons she was chosen for this position, in which she will administer a variety of support functions from the EMS Training Center.

After participating in an interview panel with representatives from

Bobby Hill Receives NonprofitCertificate of Excellence

Bobby Hill, recruitment coordinator for the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, has earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Tidewater Community College’s Academy for Nonprofit Excellence. He is one of only 50 people in this area to attain this level of certification, which includes 10 continuing education credits and 100 hours of classes.

“The Academy pushes you to gain new skills and helps you stay abreast of changes in the nonprofit area,” says Bobby. “I was hooked from the first class, and I look forward to putting this knowledge to work for the Foundation.” Congrats, Bobby!

VBEMS Adds Three New Staff Members

Bobby Hill, recruitment coordinator for the Va. Beach Rescue Squad

Foundation

VBEMS’s three new team members (left to right): Ruby Christian, Anthony Elston and

Taneta McCaw-Dieudonne

throughout the EMS system, Anthony Elston was hired as EMS Logistics Supervisor (Storekeeper II). His military background, as well as his previous work with FedEX, includes experience with logistics management, inventory control and supply chain accountability, and he will oversee similar functions under Chief Brazle in the Membership Services Division.

Taneta McCaw-Dieudonne, a member of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, is the new EMS Receptionist at the Viking Drive Headquarters, a position that she competed with more than 70 applicants to earn. Taneta is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a degree in Physical Education/Sports Management and Business and Public Relations. She developed her strong customer service skills in the rental car field. Her ability to think and react quickly makes her well-suited for the fast-paced environment at EMS.

F o r i n F o r M a t i o n o n B e c o M i n G a V o l u n t e e r , V i s i t w w w. v a b e a c h e m s . c o m 3

Congratulations to the following individuals who have advanced to the current EMT certification levels! ( s e P t e m b e r 1 – n o V e m b e r 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 )

LifeScott Spencer

EMT-PMegan BeattyAnthony Sickell

EMT-IPatrick Wallace

EMT-EAndrew TobiasThomas Riccardi

EMT-BAbdelaziz AgoujdadRobert BeasleyKyle BentzBlake CaduffJing CaoRoyce CersleyBrian CorcoranJoseph FetherolCory GeogheganBradley GrahamErica HarlandElizabeth HobbsKelsey HottleJacob HughesRachel HuxMorgan Jones

Brendan KearneyMegan KinlawJasmine KnightWinnoga KohnMichael KreiderMatthew KundertHeather LeeLucinda LiCharles McLeodKathleen MabryCory MasonStephanie MazarakisTaneta McCaw-DieudonneEmily MillsMark MolaviNicholas OliverStephanie PatselKimberly PrendergastKathryn RamirezSteven RoederJames TaylorSusan UremovichKathleen WhatleyJonathan YoderLaura Yoder

BLS-InternSarah AmmonsCorey BaileyReia BrownShcarry Chatmon

Kenneth ChupinskyLauren CollinsRichard CoxJennifer CroweKanzas DevalkenaereJessica DevineMichael GlidewellKathryn GolinoJames GoodridgeJose HernandezKim HodgesElizabeth HooblerBrian HollandValerie HudginsJacob HughesTimothy JonesChantel KingMegann KingJonathan LawrenceEric LuehrsAaron MaganaTaneta McCaw-DieudonneJulia McFieLaura McFieJennifer McGheeKimberly MeinweiserChristina MichenerMatthew MurphyJohn NeumayerNam NguyenDavid Pagtalunan

Victor ParkerDaniel PistonKathryn RamirezLynda RascoeDonald RobertsonChristopher SchlehBrittany ShinaultSandra SmithTodd SmitsKyle SpruillApril TeafordKerry-Ann ThompsonJohn Wiseman

StudentLori AdamsMark ArthurBrittany BangasDayna BeckHatidza BegovicVictoria BleckMichael BohanAlicia BrazeeChristine BrownJulian BryantTina ClarkSydney DavisDavid DonaldsonSasha ErnestMorgan FairhurstCheryl Feick

Travis FlowersLauren GarlandJonathon GranlundTyana HarrisNelson HerculesStephen HeveyWavie JonesDavid KingWilliam LadoucerJameka MackeyBrooke MoultonErin NunoOliver OnwubuntaJohn OrmondJessica PayneDavid PowellAaron RodriguezReinaldo RosasPaul RuehrmundDolores SalleyMichael SchmidtJessica SheltonDenise SmithYolanda StewartGregory TiddMary VannMark VaughanCharles Wooten Tiffany Wu

Moving on up!

Congratulations to our Recent EMT-B Grads!

Congratulations to the third graduating EMT-B class of 2011.

Congratulations to the following individuals who make up the third graduating EMT-B class of 2011:

Kneeling (left to right): Melinda Lackore, Rachel Atkisson, Margarita Ablang, Lynne Contreras, Brooke Wilson, Elizabeth Haines, Corey Palmer, Toan Tran and Noel RossSecond Row: Instructor Eric de Forest, Dewyonna Shields, Axia Jelderks, Rachael Lawrence, Sidney Roeder, Deborah Coley-Mills, Jennifer Jessup, Alexis Higgins, Maggie Mack, Samantha Smith, Nelson Villamon and Chief Bruce EdwardsBack Row: Michael Onyeuma, Douglas Lovelace, Jacqualyn Irons, Richard Kreemer, Robert Crofton, Charles Crews, Neva Crews, Rosalyn Briggs, Lisa McLeod, Gregorio Kabigting, Christina Ethridge and Clifford Smith.

Absent: David Bissell

477 Vi k i n g dr i V e , su i t e 130V i r g i n i a b e a c h, Va 23452

Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad held its 14th Annual Operation Safe Haven event on Halloween night, distributing 784 candy-filled goodie bags to kids, and hosting more than 1,000 guests for a costume contest, face painting, refreshments and more! Event chairperson Christie Collins thanks everyone who volunteered and donated to make the event a success once again.

V o l u n t e e r P r o f i l e Kyle Bentz, Princess Anne Courthouse Vol. Rescue Squad

How did you become involved in EMS? As a child, I remember the volunteer rescue squads coming to my class to talk about their service. It made a huge impression on me. Later in life, when I had to call 9-1-1 for my father, my desire to volunteer was reaffirmed.

What do you get out of being a part of it? Our squad is more than a team – it’s a family. We are not only doing something good for the community, but we’re helping each other as well. Whenever I have a problem, I can always take it to my “rescue family.”

What’s your most memorable experience? There are too many to count. In just my first few months of volunteering, I helped a 2-year-old breathe at 3 a.m., and I was called to the scene where a family of five had driven into a lake.

What’s made the biggest impact on you? It’s always difficult to witness preventable accidents, like those that involve drunk drivers. When I started volunteering, the number of drunk driving incidents shocked me. On average, I’m called to at least one or two per week, which is way too many.

What do you enjoy the most? It’s my chance to be an everyday hero… to help people in their time of need. It’s also allowed me to be a role model. I hope I can make a positive impact on young people like the rescue squad volunteers did for me.

Operation Safe Haven

Christie Collins and her daughter Lauren, a new member of Plaza VRS, at the Operation Safe Haven

event on Oct. 31

Kyle Benz, Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer