Pulse Check 2011
Review and Summary
November 2011
In This Issue
Save The Date
Educational Summary
Annual Memorial Service
Scholarships
Award Summary
Special Recognition
Drill Results
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Dear Colleagues, 

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended Pulse Check 2011. It truly was a great conference. This year, more people attended the conference than has in many years. As usual, out Seminar Coordinators, Mike McEvoy and Rich Beebe did an exceptional job with bringing in renowned speakers and offering seminars that were of exceptional quality. Once again, Rich's pre-conference was a great opportunity, not only to obtain valuable knowledge, but also to receive much needed core content CME credits. The final session, Three Wise Men, held Sunday morning was a hit, as usual.

 

On Friday night, we held our Drill Competition. Teresa McLaughlin and her team did an exceptional job in providing great scenarios for the teams. This year we had a couple of firsts. We had 4 new teams who competed that had never competed on the state level before. Second, the judges included seminar speakers. As you may be aware these speakers included physicians, nurses and other professionals. Both the judges and the participants felt this was a wonderful experience.

 

Saturday night our Banquet was held. It was attended by over 360 people. During the Banquet were our Awards Ceremony and Memorial Service. The Memorial Service remembered not only those members of the EMS family that passed away last year, but those lives lost 10 years ago on 9-11-01 during the tragedy at the World Trade Center.

 

Plans are underway for Pulse Check 2012. This year the Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern, NY. It is a fantastic facility. It will be held October 11-14, 2012. In the near future, more information will be posted on our web site, www.nysvara.org. Please check it often. Anyone interested in helping with this years conference, please contact [email protected].

 

Hope to see you there!    

Michael J. Mastrianni, Jr.

 

 

Save the Date! - 2012 Pulse Check
NYSVARA Logo
PULSE CHECK 2012
October 11-14 in Suffern NY

Keep your eye out for more details at:

www.PulseCheckConference.org

 
Educational Summary

Pulse Check 2011 saw the largest attendance increase in recent years with hundreds of participants earning up to 16 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) in 32 different classroom sessions, a skills competition, and two days of vendor exhibits.

Three concurrent session tracks (two clinical and one leadership/administrative) were held Friday and Saturday with each session lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. The popular closing session, "The Three Wise Men" was presented at the end of the conference Sunday morning.

 

For the first time in 2011, Pulse Check attendees were able to earn CEUs by visiting vendors on the floor of the trade show each day and by observing the youth skills competition on Friday evening.

Faculty included 23 expert speakers, all nearby Upstate New York, many of them well known authors and national speakers. A wide array of topics covering contemporary medical and management issues were presented and evaluations were overwhelming positive, averaging an overall of 4.75 of 5 possible points. Many of the speakers, who all volunteered their time, were returning presenters from previous Pulse Check conferences - largely due to audience feedback.

 

Mike McEvoy and Rich Beebe, the speaker coordinators, noted that, "Unlike any other conference in New York State, we have consistently been able to recruit the best, brightest, most humorous and talented presenters - all local to the area." The majority of speakers also served as judges for the youth skills competition and were truly impressed and inspired spending the evening observing and interacting with the future faces of EMS.

 

Planning for Pulse Check 2012, to be held in Suffern on October 11-14 is already underway with a call for speaker presentation proposals issued on the NYSVARA web site (www.nysvara.org). McEvoy and Beebe say they, "are confident that Pulse Check 2012 will be better than ever with many of our favorite speakers returning to deliver new ideas and inspirational talks in an even bigger venue than previous years."

Annual Memorial Service

The Annual Memorial Service was held during the banquet Saturday 9-24-11 at the

Pulse Check Conference.

 

The Invocation was presented by Nancy Pacella, the Association's Chaplain. This year our Memorial address was offered by South Orangetown Volunteer Ambulance Corps member, NYS Certified EMT, Msgr. Emmett Nevin also of St. Catherine's Church in Blauvelt, NY. A reading was offered by Robert Ruston, director of Region 30 and member of the NYS association of Fire Chaplains.

 

The District Directors were present during the Necrology to read the names of the members of service who answered their last call during the year and fellow members of service and family members placed a carnation in the Association memorial wreath to honor them. In addition, the memorial bell was tolled and a candle lit in their honor.

 

 

 

The following LINE OF DUTY DEATHS received recognition and honor:

 

District 5  JOSHUA P. SULLIVAN               Port Jervis VAC

District 15 RUSSELL HOGUE                   Spensorport VAC

District 19 PAUL A. BAZINET                    Empire Ambulance Service

Region 3   KAREN A. HAND                     Broome Volunteer Emergency Squad

Region 3   LEROY A. KEMP                     Tioga Emergency Squad

 

DISTRICT ONE

SAUL SMOLAR                                       WILLIAM P. FAIST VAC

MICKEY MCGRADY-NOVAK                    HAVERSTRAW VAC

ARTHUR J. DILLIN                                   NANUET VAC

DONALD A. ELFERS                               NANUET VAC

NANCY FUCHS                                       NANUET VAC

ANNA VIRGINIA CHARTERS                     NYACK VAC

FIONA BOND-SMITH                                SO. ORANGETOWN VAC

JOHN G. KOPAC                                     SO. ORANGETOWN VAC

FRANCIS CARELLA                                 STONY POINT VAC

CAROL LARKIN                                       STONY POINT VAC

MARTHA "BOBBIE" MACGUFFIE, MD       FOUNDER, NYACK HOSP.BURN CTR.

MICHAEL S. LIPPE, MD                           GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

 

DISTRICT FOUR

LOIS HALLERMAN                                   GLEN OAKS VAC

JEFFREY STIMAN                                   GLEN OAKS VAC

BEVERLY BREWSTER-BYLIK                  PENINSULA VAC

NANCY VITALIE                                       PENNINSULA VAC

 

DISTRICT FIVE

CARL MORTENSEN                                 BEACON VAC

VIRGINIA C. JEFFERIES                           BLOOMING GROVE VAC

DOROTHY E. MACVEIGH                         CHESTER & GOSHEN VAC

KARL BRANDL                                         CORNWALL VAC

SHIRLEY A. HANDFORTH                         CORNWALL VAC

GARY L. SKINNER                                   CORNWALL VAC

JERRY WILLIAMS                                    GARDINER VFD RESCUE SQ.

ELFIO "AL" POLITI                                    GREENVILLE VAC

EDWARD COLLINS                                  GREENWOOD LAKE VAC

KENNETH C. GORSE                               MONROE VAC

SALVADORE DIMICELI                             PINE BUSH VAC

JOSEPH A. CALLAHAN                            NEW WINDSOR VAC

MARTIN SCHUPPER                                NEW WINDSOR VAC

JOSHUA PATRICK SULLIVAN                    PORT JERVIS VAC (LODD)

ANGELA "JULIA" KILLIAN                          TOWN OF HIGHLANDS VAC

KEVIN R. FREEMAN                                TOWN OF MONTGOMERY VAC

WALTER WIESBECK                               TOWN OF WALLKILL VAC

JOSEPH F. KELLY, JR.                             WALLKILL VAC

HELEN A. WITHEREL                              WALLKILL VAC

JAMES R. KRETZ                                    WOODBURY VAC

 

DISTRICT SIX

RICHARD A. LOTT                                    JEFFERSON VAC

BARRY COOPERSTEIN                           LIBERTY VAC

JOHN D. NOREN                                     NEVERSINK FIRST AID SQ.

PEARL CLARK DUMONT                         ROCK HILL VAC

JAMES E. KENNETT, JR.                         ROCK HILL VAC

ELIZABETH J. HAWKER                          TUSTEN VAC

RUTH BAXTER                                        MOUNTAINDALE F.A. SQUAD

 

DISTRICT SEVEN

JANE LASORSA                                    HUNTINGTON COMM. F.A. SQUAD

NORMA SIGNORELLI                             HUNTINGTON COMM. F.A. SQUAD

MELISSA "MISSY" CROKE                     SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE VAC                                                  

DISTRICT TWELVE

DONALD BENNETT                                ELMONT FIRE DEPT.   ENG. 4

GEORGE BRAND                                  ELMONT FIRE DEPT.   ENG. 4

HARRY PALMER                                   ELMONT FIRE DEPT.   ENG. 2

STEVEN LINZER                                   NCPD EMERGENCY AMB. BUREAU

BRUNO E. WOLFF                                WANTAUGH-LEVITTOWN VAC

 

DISTRICT FIFTEEN

RUSSELL HOGUE                                 SPENCERPORT VOL. AMB. SQ.(LODD)

 

DISTRICT EIGHTEEN

HERBERT J. KLEIN                               WHITESTONE COMMUNITY AMB. SERV.

                              

DISTRICT NINETEEN

PAUL A. BAZINET                                 EMPIRE AMBULANCE SERVICE (LODD)

BENJAMIN JOHNSON                           MID COUNTY VAC

KAY MALLETT                                      MID COUNTY VAC

ROBERT MALLETT                               MID COUNTY VAC

ROGER QUINN                                     WEST ALBANY VAC

EDITH NOLTNER                                  FONDA FULTONVILLE VAC

 

REGION ONE

CAROL A. YACKLE                              EDEN EMERGENCY SQUAD            

 

REGION THREE

KAREN A. HAND                                  BROOME VOL. EMERGENCY SQ.  (LODD)

LEROY A. KEMP                                  TIOGA EMERGENCY SQUAD (LODD)

ROBERT MAURO                                 FAIRVIEW FIRE DEPT.

ELIZABETH "BETTY" SAUL                   HYDE PARK FD/ARLINGTON FIRE DIST.

CHARLES T. PURDY, JR.                      SOMERS FIRE DEPT.

 

NEW JERSEY STATE FIRST AID COUNCIL

MICHAEL KENWOOD                           PINCETON F.A. & RESCUE SQ. (LODD)

MATTHEW PELLETTERE                      RIVER EDGE VAC (LODD)

 

We also remembered those deceased members whose names we did not receive.

 

In addition, we remembered and shall never forget those who died on 9-11-2001,

53 Emergency Medical Service Providers and the countless Firefighters, Police Officers, Port Authority Officers, Court Officers, K-9 officers, Clergy and Civilians who perished that day. Last but not least, we remembered all our military personnel who gave their all in the pursuit of Freedom and those who continue to fight for our freedom.

 

At the end of the service, taps was played by Thomas McDonald from Albany and Amazing Grace was performed by bagpiper Michelle Lyons also of Albany. Our service was concluded by Brandon Smith of Rockland County with the singing of God Bless America.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Nancy Pacella

Chaplain

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2011 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
THE BON SECOUR-GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL
ERNIE STONICK-NYSVARA SCHOLARSHIP

KATHLEEN GAINES - BLACK RIVER AMBULANCE SQUAD


THE BON SECOUR-GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL
ERNIE STONICK-NYSVARA SCHOLARSHIP
MARC HAHN - FLATLANDS VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS.


NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION, INC.
BOB RADENBERG SCHOLARSHIP
TOM C. THOMAS - GLEN OAKS VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE COPRS.

2011 PULSE CHECK AWARD RECIPIENTS  

EMS EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR:

ERNIE STONICK

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

 

UNIT CITATION OF THE YEAR;

GLEN OAKS VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS.

&

NEW WINDSOR VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS.

 

EMS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR:

BRETT LEVINE

RAMAPO POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

YOUTH SQUAD MEMBER OF THE YEAR:

DANNY ABREU

STONY POINT AMBULANCE CORPS.

 

EMS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR:

WESLEY FISCHAMN

SPRING HILL COMMUNITY AMBUANCE CORPS.

 

EMS LEADERSHIP AWARD:

KIM LIPPES

ROCKLAND COUNTY EMS COORIDINATOR

 

EMS PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR:

BRIAN BLAUFEUX, MD

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL-ED

 

EMS REGISTERED NURSE OF THE YEAR:

STEVE CRAVER, RN

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL-ED


 

Special Recognition
111115BlackRiver

President Michael Mastrianni and Michael McEvoy presented Alan Gaines a plaque of

SINCERE APPRECIATION  

for the services rendered by the members of  

BLACK RIVER AMBULANCE SERVICE.


Over the years various members of

BLACK RIVER AMBULANCE SERVICE

have volunteered their time to be room monitors during our Educational seminars.

 

The value of their commitment and service has been greatly appreciated by the PULSE CHECK convention committee and especially by the Educational committee.

Thank you for your efforts!

 

 

2011 NYSVARA-SKILLS DRILL COMPETITION
Each year NYSVARA holds an EMS drill team competition at the annual Educational Conference and Trade show, PULSE CHECK.

Teams consisting of 4-5 members who spend a great deal of time thru the year sharpening their skills, participate in 2 fast paced situations involving various medical and traumatic scenarios.

This year 13 teams competed against each one another, amazing everyone with their knowledge specific to but not limited to: the MOLST form, special bandaging techniques- which included an abdominal evisceration, an avulsed eye and a deep neck wound and team work. Teams were given points for proper treatment rendered and points were deducted for treatment that was either not done, or done incorrectly. Competition was fierce this year with less than 100 points separating teams in problems that had a 10,000 point total possible score.
Trophies were awarded in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place on each scenario and the top award given to the overall winner with the most points received a Trophy for their agency as well as individual "oscars" for each participating team member.

In addition The overall winning team received a $1000.00 check, from an anonymous contributor who feels the FUTURE OF EMS is in the hearts and skills of TODAYS YOUTH.

The judges commented that they were very impressed with the level of training and commitment of all teams, especially the youth teams, ranging in age from 13-18 who demonstrated exceptional EMT skills and knowledge.

Team spirit and participation was greatly improved this year. After a year of encouraging the formation of new teams, the excitement was VERY obvious in Albany. Suffolk County had a good showing as they have in the past, with Rockland County coming on strong after holding a competition of their own this past May.

The Drill Committee is already planning for 2012, October 11-14 in Suffern NY where we are hoping to bring back an ambulance competition and INCREASE the ADULT EMT participation. Drills are open to adult and youth teams. CME credit is given for  participating so why not start a team of your own and join in the fun?

Contact the Drill Committee at [email protected] or see the website under Drills for more information.

Yours in Competition,
Teresa McLaughlin- Drills Chairperson