The Division of EMS & Disaster Preparedness
EMS
SIUH has been an activ
e member of the NYC EMS community since the early 20th century. We have five 24-hour ambulances providing prehospital care voluntarily in the NYC 911 system. Three of these have basic life support (BLS) providers and 2 carry advanced life support (ALS) providers. Our North campus remains a cornerstone of the FDNY EMS system as specialty care facility for various emergency patients, including Trauma, STEMI, Burn, Pediatrics, and Therapeutic Hypothermia. The South campus, in turn, provides Online Medical Control to local units in the field. A wealth of EMS Physician experience exists within the ED faculty at SIUH. There are longtime practicing physicians as well as EMS fellowship-trained physicians who maintain vital functions in the delivery of prehospital care in NYC. Participation with the various roles in Emergency Medical Services is encouraged for residents during their education at SIUH, including crew ride-alongs, research, delivery of Online Medical Control, Continuing Medical Education (CME) lectures, and case review. Our residents also interact with EMS crews during their normal shifts in the ED as well, receiving presentations and gathering pertinent information. Geographically, Staten Island is an ideal place to get involved in EMS as its isolation provides improved follow up of patients after disposition to the hospital. It is our goal to obtain EMS subspecialty certification for our practicing physicians when the board examination is administered by ABEM in 2013 and also to hopefully one day host an EMS Fellowship at our campus.
Disaster Preparedness
The Emergency Department at SIUH recognizes the importance of planning for various unforeseen emergencies. As Staten Island’s geographic isolation has its benefits, it can surely become a predicament during times of adversity. Our hospital administration actively prepares for these possible problems through education, training, drills, surveillance, and usage of special equipment. It is through these efforts that SIUH has been able to maintain the ability to provide excellent emergency care despite any number of crises that may arise. Recently, a multidisciplinary team from SIUH, including physicians, nurses, and safety officers, travelled to Alabama to train at the prestigious FEMA Center for Disaster Preparedness. In addition to didactics, the team participated in a large scale training exercise. Drills and exercises such as these are vital to ensure the best actions are taken during an emergency. The Division of EMS & Disaster Preparedness at SIUH EM strives to provide excellent care to its community but also to ensure the safety of its employees and healthcare providers in times of catastrophe.