IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DIALHall Ambulance Medical Director offers tips for dealing with the heat
As the summer starts to heat up and the sun reaches its solstice it’s important to re-visit some of the environmental emergencies that are indigenous to Bakersfield, namely heat injury. Hall Ambulance Service Medical Director, Dr. Ron Ostrom, explains that “heat related illness is a form of hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically”.
According to Ostrom, “The extreme form of heat stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not properly treated.” Hall Ambulance’s Ostrom says that cooling the victim is a critical step in the treatment of heat stroke.
As is the case with all heat related emergencies however, Ostrom emphasizes that “The most important step is prevention.”
“An important component of prevention” according to Ostrom, “is adequate hydration and to avoid excessive physical activities in hot and humid weather.” The elderly and young are at greatest risk. Other at risk groups include athletes and outdoor laborers.
Avoiding dehydration can be accomplished with electrolyte containing sports drinks such as Gatorade, and water.
When heat illness occurs Ostrom recommends cooling the victim by moving them into a shady area, removing clothing, applying cool or tepid water, and fanning. Wearing light colored and loose fitting clothing is helpful, as well as spending at least a portion of the day in a cool environment.
Ostrom recommends that the elderly and medically frail spend as much time as possible in a cooler, climate controlled environment on hot days. Some of the spots recommended by Ostrom to cool off include shopping malls, restaurants, libraries, and the county operated cooling centers (call 800-510-2020 for more info).
“Every summer our paramedics come in contact with entirely too many heat related emergencies” according to Harvey L. Hall, Founder and President of Hall Ambulance Service; “Many of which are entirely preventable”.
“By following these simple steps, our hope is that everyone will have a safe and enjoyable summer” added Hall.
Hall Ambulance Employees help clean up Bakersfield
Hall Ambulance employees joined Mayor Harvey L. Hall (Founder and President of Hall Ambulance) with cleaning up trash from along the highway on ramps Saturday. Approximately 40 employees, family members and friends turned out to help Mayor Hall pick up trash dumped by motorist on Highway 99 at Ming Ave. and Highway 99 at California Avenue. It took the group about 90 minutes to complete the work. The project is a continuation Mayor Hall’s grass roots effort to keep Bakersfield Beautiful. You can contact the Mayor’s office at 661-326-3770 to learn how you can help Keep Bakersfield Beautiful.
Nedra Thompson named Dispatcher of the Year for Kern County EMS
Hall Ambulance Service Dispatcher Nedra Thompson was named the Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year for Kern County by the County EMS Division during the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors on May 24th. Thompson has been with Hall Ambulance for ten years and is certified as an Emergency Medical Tehnician by Kern County and an Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) by the National Academy of EMD. Currently assigned to night shifts Nedra assists with processing call information from customers and coordinating emergency and nonemergency ambulance responses to more than 90% of Kern County including California’s eighth largest city, Bakersfield. Among her many outstanding qualities is reliability. Nedra has not missed a shift in more than three years and has only missed three in her ten years with Hall Ambulance.
Hall Ambulance Awards Scholarships
Harvey L. Hall and Hall Ambulance will award almost 30 scholarships over the next few weeks. The Hall Ambulance Medical Scholarship is available at every high school within the response area of Hall Ambulance. It is awarded to graduating seniors that plan to study some type of medicine in college. This year 22 Scholarships will be presented. Additionally, Hall who serves as the Mayor of Bakersfield, will award nine Mayor’s Scholarships. The two programs are more than ten years old and more than $200,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
Hall Ambulance, CHP, and KCFD team up for Sober Graduation Program
The Hall Ambulance Service crew assigned to Frazier Park assisted the California Highway Patrol and Kern County Fire Department with a Sober Graduation program at Frazier Mountain Park High School. The Sober Graduation program was used to reinforce the value in celebrating sober. Hall Ambulance has served the communities around Frazier Park since 1978. Hall crews respond along with the CHP and KCFD to hundreds of incidents per year and know first hand the value of the Sober Graduation program.
Relay For Life Bakersfield
Hall Ambulance is set to participate in the 2011 Relay For Life of Bakersfield benefiting the American Cancer Society. Hall EMTs and Paramedics will volunteer their time along with the Hall Ambulance Explorer Post to provide around the clock first aid coverage at the event. Additionally employees from Hall have volunteered their time to cook breakfast Sunday morning for all of the participants.
The Bakersfield version of Relay For Life is annually one of the most successful in the nation. Go to Relay For Life for more info.
Veterans Committee Honors Hall
Harvey L. Hall, Founder/President of Hall Ambulance Service, Inc. was honored by the Kern County Veterans Employment Committee for his continued efforts to employ Kern County veterans. Accompanying Mr. Hall to the recognition dinner were several veterans currently employed by Hall Ambulance. That group included several employees still serving in the US Army Reserves, California National Guard, the US Marines Corps Reserves and US Air Force Reserves. The annual event helps promote the need to give back to those that gave their time to serve our country and recognize the value of their experience to employers.
Paramedic Baker a “Real Hero”
Hall Ambulance Service Paramedic George Baker was recognized by the Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross with a “Real Hero” award today. Baker was recognized for his part in the field resuscitation of Bakersfield resident Daniel Dosier. Dosier called for help early Christmas morning after becoming short of breath. Paramedic Baker, Paramedic Intern Brandon McNamara, and EMT Sebastian Chavez arrived on scene as Dosier arrested. The crew was able to revive Mr. Dosier, who along with his brother John attended the awards presentation. Baker, an 11 year veteran at Hall Ambulance gave credit to his crew as well as his peers for their continued outstanding efforts as EMS responders.
Now Hiring- Recruitment for the next Hall Ambulance EMT Academy is Open
Hall Ambulance Service has opened recruitment for our next EMT Academy. This unique employment program takes eager, would be Emergency Medical Technicians and gives them the training they need to start a career at Hall Ambulance. Visit our Job Opportunities page to learn more.
Dr. Michael E. Bowdish, Keck School of Medicine at USC, Thoracic Surgery Specialist to speak at Hall Ambulance on May 4th
Hall Ambulance Service is pleased to announce a visit and lecture by Dr. Michale Bowdish of the Keck School of Medicine at USC. The May 4th lecture will highlight new Mechanical Circulatory Support devices. At least one patient in Bakersfield has received this new centrifugal pump device which maintains blood circulation. The one hour lecture begins at 4:00pm. Seating is limited. Hall Employees should RSVP through the training calendar. Others can RSVP at 661-322-8741.
