New Castle County

NCCo Paramedics Join Congressman Castle to Raise Safe Driving Awareness

November 30, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics joined United States Congressman Michael N. Castle in raising awareness about safe driving at a news conference held at the Christiana Hospital. Local business leaders, highway safety advocates, hospital medical staff and first responders from both the fire service and emergency medical services participated in the event. Congressman Castle provided information regarding the federal Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 1895, STANDUP Act) that would create national graduated driver licensing (GDL) standards for young drivers. The STANDUP Act was introduced in Congress in April 2009.

NCCo Paramedics Assist with Thanksgiving Food Basket Preparation

November 23, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics, along with volunteers from the Emergency Communications Division, Division of Police, Office of the County Executive, Office of Human Resources, and the volunteer fire service joined in the preparation of holiday food baskets for the Thanksgiving holiday. The annual community outreach is coordinated by Lt. Mark Allston of the Emergency Medical Services Division, and has been a regular holiday event for 18 years. County employees and their families met at the Emmanuel Dining Room in Wilmington, and prepared over 500 food baskets for members of our community needing assistance.

NCCo Paramedics Respond to a Crash involving a Train

November 18, 2009: New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched with fire company rescue personnel to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pick-up truck and a train. County paramedics arrived on scene to find a pick-up truck had overturned after being struck by a locomotive. The 30 year old male driver of the pick-up truck was treated for minor injuries and transported to Christiana Hospital in stable condition.

NCCo Paramedics Host International Guests

September 21, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics hosted nine EMS personnel from the Netherlands during a four day visit in September. The nine personnel consisted of medics, fire department personnel, and both flight and ground-based EMS nurses. The nine Dutch visitors rode with the New Castle County Paramedics in addition to the Delaware State Police helicopter, Crozer-Chester Medical Center EMS, and PennSTAR flight program in Philadelphia. The Dutch visit is an annual event, and has been informally named "Cloggy Medics 2009." The EMS Division visitors represented the following Dutch agencies: Brandweer Ede (a fire department in the Town of Ede), Confesso (a national staff agency based in Amsterdam), Universitair Medisch Centrum (a university in St. Radboud), and Brandweer Groningen (a fire department in the 5th largest city in the Netherlands).

NCCo Paramedics Dedicate New EMS Station

August 21, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics participated in dedication ceremonies for the new Kirkwood Library and Emergency Medical Services Station No. 3 following an 18 month construction project. The new paramedic station features a three bay garage area for secure storage of vehicles, dedicated gear and medical storage areas, an expanded office area with multiple computer work stations, a staff lounge, and men's and women's locker rooms. The new paramedic station is a significant improvement over the various temporary office spaces used since Medic 3 was placed in service in March 1981.

Photo: (From left to right) State Senator Karen Peterson, Paramedic Sherri Portello, County Councilman Joseph Reda, Paramedic 1/C Stacy Press-Johnson, County Executive Christopher Coons and his daughter Margaret "Maggie" Coons, County Council President Paul Clark, Assistant Chief Richard Krett, Chief Lawrence Tan, Paramedic Corporal Mark Logamann and Colonel Rick Gregory cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony for the new paramedic station. The EMS Division Honor Guard, consisting of Paramedic 1/C Gary Peterson, Paramedic 1/C Christopher Schad, Paramedic 1/C Robert Sullivan, Paramedic Matthew Mitchell, Paramedic 1/C Alana Kerekes and Paramedic Corporal Lorraine Williams participated in both the dedication of the library and paramedic station.

NCCo Paramedics Respond to Crash with Rollover

August 13, 2009: At approximately 3:00 p.m. the New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched with fire company rescue personnel to a report of a motor vehicle collision with a vehicle overturned and a subject trapped at Interstate 495 at Edgemoor Road. County paramedics found a 29 year old male trapped in an overturned pick-up truck with the air bags deployed. The patient was also suspended upside down by the vehicle seat belt. County paramedics worked with fire company personnel during an extensive extrication effort that took over 45 minutes. The County paramedics activated a "Trauma Alert" which resulted in the assembly of a trauma team even before the patient arrived at the hospital.

Crane Overturned Operator Trapped

July 27, 2009: At 8:48 a.m., New Castle County paramedics and the Wilmington Fire Department were dispatched to the Port of Wilmington for a report of a crane overturned with the operator being trapped. EMS and fire department personnel arrived on scene to find a crane overturned, with the operator pinned inside of the elevated cab of the crane. The crane had been lifting a large wing-farm wing when it overturned. Wilmington Fire Department personnel were able to gain access to the operator by using a ground ladder and he was extricated by forklift. The crane operator was treated for a shoulder injury and transported to Christiana Hospital for further treatment.

NCCo EMS Renders Honors to Retired Lieutenant

July 25, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics rendered honors to retired EMS Lieutenant William H. Downey, who died on July 17, 2009. Lieutenant Downey was appointed to New Castle County Emergency Medical Services in August of 1966. He became an emergency medical technician (EMT) and later participated in the newly created "paramedic" training program, becoming one of the first paramedics in New Castle County and the state of Delaware. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1977, and continued in his role as a shift supervisor until his retirement in February of 1995. A tribute from the Office of the County Executive was presented to his family.

NCCo Paramedics Respond to Motorcycle Crash

June 27, 2009: At 1:09 p.m., two New Castle County paramedic units and paramedic field supervisors were dispatched to Boxwood Road and Route 141 southbound for a reported motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle. New Castle County paramedics found two patients that sustained injuries following the crash of their motorcycle. Paramedics initiated advanced life support measures for both patients and activated a hospital "trauma alert" for each patient. Paramedic "trauma alert" notification begins mobilization of specialized hospital personnel and notification of emergency department and operating room staff even before the arrival of the patient. Both patients were transported to the Christiana Hospital and transferred to the waiting trauma teams.

NCC*EMS Participates in Governor's Press Conference

June 5, 2009: Representatives from New Castle County EMS participated in the Governor's Press Conference at Christiana Hospital to announce the significant reduction in mortality for severely injured patients in Delaware. Governor Jack Markell highlighted the study of Delaware Trauma System Registry data that documented a reduction in mortality from 45.7% for seriously injured patients in 1998 to 20.5% in 2007.

The significant reduction in mortality in Delaware was attributed to the creation of an inclusive statewide trauma system that focused on the needs of the patient. The goal of getting each trauma patient to the right facility in the right amount of time was adopted by both pre-hospital EMS and hospital facilities throughout the state. The New Castle County Paramedics have participated in ongoing update and implementation of trauma treatment protocols over the past decade, and routinely mobilize hospital trauma resources from the field through a "Trauma Alert" notification procedure. New Castle County Paramedics initiated over 750 "trauma alerts" for potentially serious injuries during calendar year 2008.

Photo: New Castle County EMS Division personnel take a moment with Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Dr. Robert Rosenbaum at the Trauma System Press Conference. From left to right: Paramedic Cpl. Ron Iocono, Lt. Mark Allston, P/Sgt. Kelli Starr-Leach, Paramedic Brianne Sullivan, Chief Lawrence Tan, Paramedic 1/C James McCarnan, Governor Jack Markell, Dr. Robert Rosenbaum.

NCCo Paramedic Receives EMS Commendation Medal

May 31, 2009: Paramedic First Class Christopher J. Schad of the New Castle County Emergency Medical Services Division received the Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal from the Major Peter Jaquett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Paramedic 1/C Schad received the commendation at a dinner on May 31, 2009 from Chapter President Davis L. Wright. The Sons of the American Revolution Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal is presented to an individual for accomplishments or outstanding contributions in an area of emergency medical services. The award is intended to recognize paramedics who have performed an act or service beyond that normally expected.

NCCo Paramedics Support University of Delaware Graduation Ceremony

May 30, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics participated in a multi-agency emergency medical services detail for medical coverage of the 2009 University of Delaware Graduation and Convocation Ceremonies. The Emergency Medical Services Division contribution to the medical coverage included Operations Support with deployment of the "MEDCOM" vehicle and a dedicated paramedic unit assigned to the event. The EMS detail responded to assist eleven (11) patients, four (4) of which required advanced life support (ALS) transport to the hospital.

Tractor Trailer Crash with Entrapment

May 28, 2009: At 0442 hours, New Castle County Paramedics and the Wilmington Manor Fire Company were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash involving two tractor trailers. Arriving EMS/Fire personnel found the driver of one of the tractor trailers, trapped in the cab of his overturned truck. Rescue workers from the Good-Will Fire Company were dispatched to assist with the extrication. The driver was trapped for over an hour before being freed. He was transported to Christiana Hospital in stable condition.

NCCo Paramedics Recognized at Public Safety Awards Ceremony

May 14, 2009: County Executive Christopher Coons, Acting Director of Public Safety Colonel Rick Gregory and EMS Chief Lawrence Tan recognized forty-four (44) members of the Emergency Medical Services Division for exemplary acts in 2008 during a Department of Public Safety Awards Ceremony. Twelve (12) members of other agencies, including the New Castle County Police Department, Newark Police Department, County Department of Special Services, state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Minquadale Fire Company and Odessa Fire Company, and five (5) civilians were also cited by the New Castle County Paramedics for assistance they provided to the EMS Division in its mission to deliver critical health services. Two patients that were successfully revived following cardiac arrest attended the event to join the County Paramedics in recognizing those who assisted in strengthening their personal chain of survival.

The Emergency Medical Services Division personnel honored at the Public Safety Awards Ceremony were: Assistant Chief Richard D. Krett, S/Lt. Joseph J. Dudley, Lt. Mark P. Allston, P/Sgt. Dawn E. Gulezian, P/Sgt. Kelli A. Starr-Leach, P/Cpl. David B. Aber, P/Cpl. Paul G. Bazzoli, P/Cpl. Beth A. Bratton-Heck, P/Cpl. Robin K. Brown, P/Cpl. Kevin C. Cowperthwait, P/Cpl. Christopher A. Johnson, P/Cpl. Ronald P. Iocono, P/Cpl. David L. Lawrence, P/Cpl. Michael A. McColley, P/Cpl. Richard Moerman, Jr., P/Cpl. Michael R. Nichols, P/Cpl. Daniel J. Panaro, P/Cpl. Peter T. Small, P/Cpl. Robert A. Taylor, P/Cpl. William C. Wagner, III, P/Cpl. Lorraine K. Williams, Paramedic 1/C Alana M. Kerekes, Paramedic 1/C Brittany K. Lyons, Paramedic 1/C James D. McCarnan, Paramedic 1/C Melissa L. McConnell, Paramedic 1/C Michael P. O'Shaughnessy, Paramedic 1/C Gary L. Peterson, Jr., Paramedic 1/C Christopher J. Schad, Paramedic 1/C Robert J. Sullivan, Paramedic 1/C Abigail E. Thompson, Paramedic Laura E. Hill, Paramedic Katherine A. James, Paramedic David J. McKinney, Jr., Paramedic Matthew V. Mitchell, Paramedic Laura R. Peterson, Paramedic Sherri R. Portello, Paramedic Christopher O. Rainey, Paramedic Allen C. Short, Paramedic Brianne C. Sullivan, Paramedic Elizabeth A. Thompson, Paramedic Autumn M. Tuxward, Paramedic Candidate Linda M. Brittingham, Paramedic Candidate Ashley D. Steil, Lt. James D. May (Ret.).

County Paramedics First to Arrive at Crash with Rollover

May 11, 2009: New Castle County Paramedic First Class Michael O'Shaughnessy and Paramedic First Class Stacy Press-Johnson were the first to arrive on the scene of a motor vehicle collision with a vehicle overturned at the intersection of Kirkwood Highway and Milltown Road. Medic 3 reported the incident by radio just as the emergency communications center had received a 9-1-1 call by phone reporting the crash. New Castle County Paramedics assisted Mill Creek Fire Company rescue personnel with the extrication of two patients from the overturned van and accompanied them during transport to the Christiana Hospital. Fortunately, both persons in the overturned vehicle were wearing seat belts and were held in their seats after impact. A third patient in another vehicle was transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital for minor injuries.

NCCo Paramedics Respond to Deck Collapse with Multiple Injuries

May 9, 2009: At 9:11 p.m., two New Castle County Paramedic units and Emergency Medical Services Division supervisory staff responded with nine ambulances to a structure collapse in the 100 block of Fantasia Drive in Harmony Woods. Callers reported a second floor wooden deck collapsed during a party, resulting in several injuries. County paramedics worked with Christiana Fire Company personnel to coordinate the triage and transport of fourteen (14) patients to the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department. Three of the patients required advanced life support care and were admitted to the hospital . The remainder were transported as a precautionary measure with minor injuries. EMS operations were terminated at 10:28 p.m.

NCCo PARAMEDICS RESPOND TO OVERTURNED TRACTOR TRAILER WITH SUBJECT TRAPPED

April 5, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics responded with several area fire companies to the off ramp from Route 1 southbound to Lorewood Grove Road for a reported motor vehicle collision involving a rollover with a subject trapped. Responding personnel arrived to discover a tractor trailer tank car carrying 7,000 gallons of gasoline and 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel had rolled down an embankment. The driver of the tractor was trapped in the overturned cab. County paramedics worked with fire company rescue personnel providing ongoing care to the driver during a two hour extrication. The patient was flown by state police helicopter to the Christiana Hospital. County paramedics remained on the scene for an additional six hours providing medical support to HAZMAT personnel that had to empty the tank car before it could be removed from the embankment.

EMS Division Participates in Joint Public Safety Honor Guard

March 17, 2009: County Paramedics participated with Division of Police officers in a joint Department of Public Safety Honor Guard at the opening and closing of the County Executive's Budget Address. The special address to County Council was held in the County Council Chambers at the City/County Building in Wilmington. The Emergency Medical Services Division and Division of Police have previously provided a multi-agency honor guard at both the County Council and County Executive's Inauguration Ceremonies, as well as the opening ceremony for the new Department of Public Safety Headquarters.

Serious Motor Vehicle Crash near Odessa

February 25, 2009: New Castle County paramedics, the Delaware State Police Helicopter along with rescue personnel from the Odessa and Townsend Fire Companies, responded to the report of serious motor vehicle crash on Route 1 southbound south of Odessa. Arriving emergency personnel found a crash involving a tractor trailer, a large crane truck and a car, with the operator of the car trapped in his vehicle. Personnel from the Odessa and Townsend Fire Companies collectively work to extricate the driver. A total of four (4) patients were transported to Christiana Hospital, with two (2) in serious condition.

NCCo Paramedics Respond to Multi-Fatality Crash

January 24, 2009: Two New Castle County Paramedic units and two independent paramedic responders, in addition to the Paramedic Sergeant, EMS Lieutenant and EMS Chief responded to a multiple fatality crash on Interstate 95 southbound in the area of Marsh Road. Initial responders discovered four critical patients, including one still trapped in a vehicle. Two patients were pronounced dead at the scene, and two patients were transported in critical condition to the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department. One of the transported patients later died at the hospital.

Joint Public Safety Honor Guard Participates in County Executive Inauguration

January 6, 2009: A joint Department of Public Safety Honor Guard participated in the Inauguration Ceremony for County Executive Christopher A. Coons. Personnel from the Division of Police and Emergency Medical Services Division presented and retired the colors at County Executive Coons' swearing in for his second term in office. The ceremony was held in County Council Chambers at the City/County Building.

January 17, 2009: The New Castle County Paramedics with the Wilmington Fire Department and St. Francis Hospital Ambulance Service provided medical coverage to the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Inauguration "Whistle Stop" Train Ride visit to Wilmington. County Paramedics coordinated the EMS detail for the estimated 10,000 attendees at a rally held at the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park near the Wilmington Train Station. The EMS detail for the event included fixed medical aid stations, a dignitary protection component, tactical medical support, and an ALS Bike Team. The "Whistle Stop" Train Ride to the Inauguration in Washington, D.C. was designated as a National Special Security Event by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.