Listen to this episode at MedicalAuthorChat.com

In this episode of the Medical Author Chat podcast I talk to EMT Tawnya Silloway about the Line of Duty Death Handbook. Tawnya organized and wrote the handbook after she became involved in the National EMS Memorial Service and was unable to find an EMS specific resource on planning for and managing a line of duty death (LODD). A primary emphasis of the handbook is keeping the patient’s family involved. During the writing process Tawnya discusses the importance of involving other people from allied agencies to learn from their experiences and resources to create a well-rounded handbook. Tawnya is contemplating an addendum or 2nd edition that will discuss the formation and role of an EMS Honor Guard.

We also discussed Tawnya’s involvement in the Sentinmental Journey program for hospice patients.

Tawnya’s efforts were recognized with an EMS 10 Award for 2011. Read her award profile.

Show links:

• email tawnya.silloway@amr.net
• LODD Handbook
• National EMS Memorial Service
• Sentimental Journey AMR Video
• Sentimental Journey Ambulance Model Project

Read related posts and tips:

1. Line of Duty Death Procedure I have recently come across several resources related to developing...
2. Podcast: Interview with Addicted to Life and Death author Janice Ballenger In this episode of the Medical Author Chat I talk...
3. Skype Usage Tips for Podcast Recording The EMSEduCast – the podcast by and for EMS educators...

Today is the National EMS Memorial Service. You can view a live stream of the memorial at live.nemsms.org

Please take a moment today to remember our EMS colleagues that have been killed in the line of duty.

Read related posts and tips:

1. Follow the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride This morning the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride started in...
2. Blog Roll: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride has unveiled its 2010...
3. Podcast: Line of Duty Death Handbook In this episode of the Medical Author Chat podcast I...

This morning the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride started in New York and Kentucky. Riders are participating for lots of reason, which you can read at this post on the ride website.

The vision of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is to honor “Emergency Medical Services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve everyday, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.”

Not everyone can ride, but everyone can support the ride. Read these Everyday EMS Tips to support the ride:

1. If you blog write a post about the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. Send your readers to http://muddyangels.org/ to learn more about the ride and riders.
2. Visit the Muddy Angels website for daily updates. http://muddyangels.org/
3. Make a donation or become a sponsor.
4. If you live near the ride route take a moment to recognize and congratulate the riders.
5. Get outside in your community for a walk, hike, run, swim, or bike ride.
6. Do the easy things to prevent line of duty injury and  death – wear a seatbelt, minimize emergent driving, and never assume your partner notices an imminent hazard.
7. Organize a memorial service, moment of silence, or recognition time during a training or staff meeting at your organization.

I frequently run and cycle because I can. I am grateful for my good health and fortune that I can gulp in the fresh air as miles of pavement pass beneath me. As I run and ride during the week of the National EMS Memorial Bike ride I will be thinking of my EMS colleagues that can no longer walk, ride, or run. How will you recognize and celebrate the lives of EMS providers that have become sick, injured or killed in the line or duty?

Read related posts and tips:

1. Blog Roll: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride has unveiled its 2010...
2. National EMS Memorial Service: Live Stream Today is the National EMS Memorial Service. You can view...
3. Bike Ride: Scrubbed by Weather Much like space shuttle launches my planned bike ride this...

I have recently come across several resources related to developing a Line of Duty Death protocol for your EMS agency. Obviously, this would be a tragic circumstance for any organization. Having a procedure to follow will ensure that important tasks are completed.

Poll of PA EMS personnel’s knowledge of the PA Line of Duty Death guideline manual

Baldwin EMS Line of Duty Death procedure

Read related posts and tips:

1. Podcast: Line of Duty Death Handbook In this episode of the Medical Author Chat podcast I...
2. Tips for Being Prepared for Duty A few weeks ago, about 30 minutes into my 60...
3. Audio: Field Determination of Death Documentation Tips Buck Feris discusses paramedic field determination of death in a...