We are living in uncertain times with problems and perils on all sides. This is why Graham Medical has decided to make available, to our current and potential distributors, a package for our MegaMover^® Portable Transport Units in the form of:

• Pricing Information
• Product Order SKU, Descriptions and Quantities
• Product Brochure, Resources and Education
• Full Product Catalog with Additional EMS Products (Electronic)
• Marketing Information 
• Contact Information for your Graham Representative

These items have been collected into a MegaMover^® Portable Transport Unit Distributor Package and can be yours to assist you in your selling process simply by completing the attached form.

It seems that even within our own national borders we are truly living in perilous times. From the effects of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires and earthquakes, to domestic violence,  mass shootings, a global pandemic, civil unrest and rioting, it would seem that danger is all around us in differing forms. Thankfully, there are people like you and your staff who are dedicated, trained and equipped to intervene and protect the rest of us from these perils - the police, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel. 

We recognize that the dedication and training are already in place so we at Graham Medical would like to make sure that our heroes are also properly equipped as well. We want to assure that you, and they, have the proper equipment available to effectively and efficiently transport people out of harm’s way to a place of safety for assessment and treatment.

Compared to other US occupations, paramedics and EMTs have an injury rate that the NCBI states is three times above the national average. Even under normal circumstances, emergency personnel are under a great deal of stress, both physically and mentally. 

But the times we find ourselves in are anything but normal. 

An extraordinary event like the COVID-19 pandemic places additional stress on EMTs, while stretching budgets and safety protocols thin. Due to this pressure, it’s more important than ever to ensure that emergency teams have access to transport solutions that can maintain — and exceed — the current safety measures under extreme circumstances.

EMS first responders are having to add another skill set to their emergency training — combat medicine. This specialized branch of trauma care, also known as field surgery is administered by military medics to treat the wounded in and around areas of combat. Today, rising violence in urban environments sees EMS first responders dealing with trauma cases similar to their military counterparts.

First responders often contend with unusual stressors when tackling casualty evacuation during disaster response — like reaching (and later moving) victims from hot zones or hard-to-reach places. Their response time has a significant impact on survival rates. As such, equipping them with the training and tools they need to work efficiently and safely can mean the difference between a patient’s life and death. 

With an increase in mass casualty incidents in recent years, first response teams are under more pressure than ever before to be disaster prepared. Whether it’s an active shooter incident or natural disaster, your casualty evacuation plan needs to be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that your EMS team members are able to respond to disaster, and evacuate victims, efficiently and safely. 

Here are five things to keep in mind when reviewing the casualty evacuation aspect of your disaster response plan:

Rescue Task Forces (RTF) were created to respond to the immediate need of first responders for a more coordinated and streamlined response to mass casualty incidents, such as mass shootings. When multiple emergency response units are on a scene at the same time, coordination is key to ensuring both patient and provider health. RTFs provide this coordination along with preplanned protocols to promote optimal outcomes. While RTFs have greatly improved mass casualty response, they are not without some challenges.

Active shooters want to cause chaos. This chaos quickly spreads beyond victims and bystanders and can affect first responders too. When the key to saving lives is a fast response, there is no time to stop and wonder who is in charge. This need is why Rescue Task Forces were created, to streamline responses, coordinate multiple groups and facilitate faster care and treatment of victims.

 

Disaster preparedness is critical to ensure an effective response when natural or human-initiated disasters strike.  Depending on the type of incident, agencies involved can include local authorities, state government, and federal agencies. Disasters such as flooding, storm destruction, earthquakes and volcanoes may cause widespread damage, injuries and death. Moreover, mass casualty incidents, such as the  2017 concert shooting in Las Vegas, are just as deadly and the emergency planning aides in providing the appropriate response. 

Mass casualties require mass coordination by first responders. One of the most vital areas of this coordination in the treatment of victims is triage. Fortunately, experienced triage experts have been working to improve specialized response protocols to ensure that treatment is prioritized by those who need life-saving care first, while also improving the transportation times and safety of all involved. It is important that first responders stay up to date on the latest triage tactics for active shooter and mass casualty incidents. These tactics are designed to increase efficiency and determine the people who need help the most.

 

Emergency response often falls into distinct categories that naturally designate a situational lead based on the circumstances. For example, the fire department will typically take the lead when responding to a house fire, the police force generally is placed in command during an assault, and overdoses or mental health emergency responses are often led by the paramedics. 

But mass shootings are different.