Program – March 25 – Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – Mike Mistishen
Mike Mistishen is the Chief of the Ryan Township (EMS)Emergency Management Services. He has spent many years in EMS and is assisted by his wife and daughter. The Ryan Township EMS is a total volunteer service funded by donations and insurance payments.
Mike gave some background on the history of Emergency Medical Services. EMS began during the Civil War, when wagons were called into service to transport wounded to field hospitals. Modern EMS was started in Pittsburgh by a doctor who realized that the critical care of accident victims was very lacking. He trained people for basic services to assist in getting patients to hospitals. Many of these early EMS were run by funeral directors using converted Cadillacs that were previously hearses.
EMS grew rapidly, and public funding and regulations were implemented. Currently, EMS is regulated and overseen by the PA Department of Health. Most EMS is Basic Life Support (BLS) with advanced services provided by ALS units, Advanced Life Support. Multiple levels of training are required: Drive: 80 hours; EMT: 160 hours; Paramedic: 220 hours or a college degree. In addition, all must be re-certified every 3 years, with continuing education required by taking college level courses. EMS struggles with enough volunteers, with many options of service available, not only the actual EMS functions.
Mike also discussed and reviewed the AED, Automated External Defibrillator, which is designed for public use, providing voice /visual prompts to guide rescuers before medical help arises. He asked the Club to consider AED’s when discussing donations for Public Safety.
Thanks to Milke for an informative presentation.