WV OEMS News

A Course of Study Leading to Certification in the Practice of Medicolegal Death Investigation for the State of West Virginia.

The goal of this program is to provide basic training in the practice of medicolegal death investigation, pursuant to WV State Law and in conformance with requirements promulgated by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI); to provide formal certification necessary for appointment to position of county medical examiner or coroner as required by WV state law, by passage of an examination of competency in the practice of medicolegal death investigation (to be held on day 4).

Practicing County Medical Examiners and County Coroners, or qualified persons who wish to apply for such positions in the future; as well as medical or public safety professionals who currently participate in some aspect of death investigation.

The National Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (NBMDI) will accept the OCME conference for individuals needing CEU's for national accreditation based on American Medical Association and American Nurses Association approval. For questions, please call: 314-977-5970.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential and Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of CAMC Health Education and Research Institute and West Virginia State Medical Examiners. The CAMC Health Education and Research Institute is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The CAMC Health Education and Research Institute's CME program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. The CAMC Health Education and Research Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 22 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CAMC Health Education and Research Institute is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the WV Nurses Association. WVNA is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. The offering is approved for 22 contact hours (PO15-11-10118) WVBPN:01A.

This program has been approved for 34.5 hours of Continuing Medical Education by WV Office of the Emergency Medical Services under approval number 210277.

Approved for 24 hours under the rank of Sergeant.

Approved for 26.25 hours.

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

1. Perform all aspects of effective medicolegal death investigation, and to correlate forensic postmortem external examination of the body with scene investigation findings.
2. Appropriately consult with health care providers, public safety agencies, and the State Medical Examiner Staff
3. Document findings and conclusions effectively, to include completion of the death certificate.

CAMC Health Education and Research and joint sponsor will determine administrative responsibility of each organization, including: a. Registration process (WVSME) b. Preparation of materials (e.g. handouts) (WVSME) c. Activity staffing (WVSME) d. Budget management (WVSME) e. Conference facility arrangements (WVSME) f. Planning committee disclosure (provided by CAMC Institute) g. Faculty disclosure (provided by CAMC Institute) h. It is understood that CAMC Institute, Division of Education will manage all educational grants and commercial support sources for the program according to ACCME guidelines and standards for commercial support.

See attachment for details and registration information.

The EMS Advisory Council will convene at the State Police Professional Development Center, 10:00am on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The meeting is open to anyone wishing to attend.

From I-77 South

Take Interstate 77 South, to Interstate 64 West; exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.

From I-77 North, I-64 West

Follow Interstate 64 West to Interstate 77 North; follow Interstate 77 North to Interstate 64 West, exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.

From I-64 East

Follow Interstate 64 East, to Exit 50; exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.

From I-79 South

Follow Interstate 79 South, to Interstate 77 South. Merge into the right two (2) lanes on Interstate 77 South. Take Interstate 64 West to Exit 50. Stay in the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on your left.

For more information about the EMS Advisory Council, read Advisory Council Reappointed.

WV EMS TSN, Inc. has completed interviews for program manager at MCC:

James Donathan
Interim CEO

The interview process has been completed by the Selection Committee. It is my pleasure to inform you that Greg Burd has been hired as the Program Manager for MCC effective September 1, 2010. Greg has been an employee of TSN since 2004 as a Communicator for WesCom and has proven to be a very conscientious and dependable individual.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 304/965.0573.

The 2010 EMS Conference Vendor/Sponsor packet has been posted in the EMS Conference area. If you are interested in having a presence at this year's conference, check it out. This year's conference will be bigger and better than the last!

West Virginia EMS Technical Support Network, Inc. (WV EMS-TSN) is accepting applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operational and financial management of a statewide, not-for-profit EMS Grants administrative agency. The agency also administers grants in the areas of nutritional programs for women and infants and mental health advocacy. The Chief Executive Officer reports directly to the Board of Directors for the agency. The successful candidate must have a thorough knowledge in EMS systems design, function and operations. Must have a Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in a business related field. A minimum of five (5) years experience in grants administration is required. Additional skills should include computer competency, budgetary management and personnel management. Salary commensurate with experience. West Virginia EMS TSN, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A letter of application and resumè should be sent via certified mail, return receipt requested, no later than Wednesday, September 1, 2010 to:

This is the first in a series of quarterly issues on trauma and acute care surgery in the state of West Virginia.

Through this newsletter, we hope to improve the communications within the trauma network from all corners of the state.

We hope to offer interesting and infor-mative stories to aid in the improve-ment of the care we all provide to the people of this great state.

We invite comment and ideas for sto-ries or content that might be helpful to the community of emergency care providers throughout the state.

Our goal is to speak not just to the emergency room and trauma physi-cians in the state, but also to those on the front lines who are committed to providing care and service to people during the worst times of their lives.

The JMMTC has five full-time trauma and acute care surgery staff, and the Emergency Department has 12 dedi-cated to the mission of caring for the people of this state and region.

We are excited by the potential to reach out to all providers across the state and initiate a forum for learning and exchange of ideas. Together we can continue to improve on the great care already provided.

Read the article and download the newsletter at the STEMS site.

Effective August 1, 2010, the WVOEMS will implement a new online application for Initial, Recertification and Legal Recognition applicants. Directions for filling out and filing the application will be available online July 15, 2010. These directions will detail how to complete the application, create a CIS profile, pay fees, and detail how to file and submit fingerprints for the purpose of a background investigation.

After completing the application, a printable receipt with an authorization number will be generated. This authorization number will allow the applicant to be fingerprinted at any of the electronic fingerprint stations across the State. A listing of these participating sites will be available on our website. Please note that the procedures for completing a background check and submitting fingerprints is controlled by the West Virginia State Police and not OEMS.

Paper applications and fingerprinting will still be accepted during this transitional period. The application will be available for access via a link on our website: . Please see the attached forms, which show how the application procedure will appear on the WVOEMS webpage. If you have any questions, please contact me at (304) 558-3956 or march.a.tucker@wv.gov.

Read the accompanying PDF for further details about the electronic application.

Please be advised that the proposed revision to 64CSR48-EMS legislative rules have been posted for public comment by the Secretary of State. Directions for comment are contained on the first page of the document. The proposed rule can be accessed via the following web address: http://www.sos.wv.gov/administrative-law/modified/Documents/64-48.pdf.

This news item contains time-sensitive information. It may be superseded by more relevant content.

Cabell County EMS Disaster Immediate Response Team will be hosting a Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) class on July 30, 31, Aug. 1, 7, and the 8th. Class Times will be Friday July 30 1800-2200. All other days 0900-1700, except Aug. 7th will be an overnight campout conducting a SAR exercise. This class will be funded by WV Dept of Homeland Security training grant.

See attachment for details

West Virginia EMS Technical Support Network, Inc. (WV EMS-TSN) is accepting applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operational and financial management of a statewide, not-for-profit EMS Grants administrative agency. The agency also administers grants in the areas of nutritional programs for women and infants and mental health advocacy. The Chief Executive Officer reports directly to the Board of Directors for the agency. The successful candidate must have a thorough knowledge in EMS systems design, function and operations. Must have a Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in a business related field. A minimum of five (5) years experience in grants administration is required. Additional skills should include computer competency, budgetary management and personnel management. Salary commensurate with experience. West Virginia EMS TSN, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A letter of application and resumè should be sent via certified mail, return receipt requested, no later than Wednesday, June 30, 2010 to:

Enclosed you will find a copy of the final report of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Systems Consultation Team following their visit to West Virginia in December, 2009. In the beginning of this report there is a summary of major points by the consulting team. I have also taken the liberty of writing for you the following summary points having reviewed the report multiple times.

The EMS Advisory Council will be meeting June 15 at 10:00am at the Medical Command Center in Sutton.

Attached is the agenda for tomorrow's meeting.

We are pleased to announce that Drema Mace, Ph.D., has accepted our offer to assume the role of Office Director of STEMS.  Drema will join us on Monday, May 17, 2010 in the Charleston office.

Drema's career in health care includes fifteen years with the WV Bureau for Public Health at different times and in different roles.  She also served the Tennessee Department of Health for five years and has held various health care leadership roles in the private sector.

Drema's extensive academic training is in the areas of psychology, sociology, and health care administration.  Those of you who know Drema will agree with me that she is a professional.  And with the added benefit of having a great personality I am confident that she is the right person to work with us to move  STEMS into the future.