- Email: [email protected]
Understanding, support and respect
EDITORIAL
GENERAL INFORMATION
Understanding, Support and Respect
Reg Ular SUbscription s
by Frank Thomas, MD It's difficult to believe that nearly 10 blamed pilots for bein g too "macho," years have past since the creation of and taking unnec essary risk s. Many th e first successful American air med- were talking, some were hearing, but ical society. At the time of our first few were listening. Improved underme eting in Houston, there were less standing began only wh en we recogthan 30 U.S. air medical helicopter pro- nized that fault wasn't polarized within grams. But the need to address com- anyone group-but rather it was our mon problems brought these services fault. I personally learned much from my together into a society that came to be pilot colleagues during thi s period. Piknown as ASHBEAMS. Our short history has exp erienced lots in my own program were initially stormy periods in its infancy. Turbu- opposed to a 3 or 4-pilot schedulelent time s began almost imm ediately something about flight pay and needwhen nurse s attending that first meet- ing the money. Ye t with e ncourageing were cordially uninvited from par- ment from some very special pilot colticipating. The result was formation of leagues we instituted first a 3- and later th e National Flight Nurses Association a 4-pilot program. I saw the difference (NFNA) . As this association dir ected immediately-less stress in their eyes. its interest at flight nursing issu es, the I also gained a little more understandneed for yet another association was ing of their concerns. We are a better created. The National Flight Para- and safer program than we were bemedic Association (NFPA) was ush- fore these changes. In the last two years, our as sociation ere d in to fill the void in issues of being boards have created th e Executiv e Lia flight paramedic. Rapid growth in the air medical in- aison Committee (ELC) . This commitdustry resulted in brisk growth of each tee is represented by members of of th ese societies. With growth came AAMS, NFNA, NFPA and NEMSPA increasing problems, and each associ- Its role is to fmd solutions to common ation struggled to be heard. This need problems. Sure, some disagreements to be heard often resulted in differing have arisen. But because of unique and viewpoints. Although independence tolerant members of this committee, was beneficial in establishing unique understanding and mutual support characteristics of each association, it have prevailed. often left outside observers with th e Our associations hav e come long impression of a fragmented indu stry. way s ince those early years, but much Who ca n forget the high rate of more can still be accomplished . Finan HEMS accidents in the early and mid- cial and regulatory pressures will con80's? And who were those guys out of tinue to increase. But our achievement Texas and their little band called the of future success will depend upon us . National EMS Pilots Association? How As we proceed, let us provide mutual dare they! Over-worked? We're all understanding, support, and respect over-worked! Some pilots blamed ad- to everyone engaged in furthering the ministrators and nurses for pilot pres- noble cause of air medical transport. 0 sures. They accused operators for not providing additional pilot support. Of Dr. Thomas is President , Association contrast, administrators and nurses ofAir Medical Services (AAMS) . 6
To subscribe to 7l~JollnuJl o/Ai, M~dical Transport, to change the ddr of your current ubscription, or to k QU lion about your ubscription, call or write th busin ofrle . ubscriplion rate for orth Am ri , $28 per year for 12 i. u or$49forlwoy for24i u . Su bscribers outside orth Am rica dd $18 per y ar for ainn iI postage All for ign subribera remit in U. dollars drawn on a U. . bank or mak • paym ent with Am rican Expr , VISA or M terCard.
As oclatlon Subsc rl tlon s
Paid-up m mbers of MM • NFNAand FPA receive n annual sub ription with their association membership. Qu lions r garding s u bsc ri p tio n and addr ' s s ch anR should be directed to th •appropriate a. sociation office.
Ba k i u
Back Iss ues
payabl in advance at $3 h. exce pt April Directory at $5 ch ,
Editorial Contr ibutio ns Journal 0/ Ai' Medical Transport
17r~
encourag arti I QU ries and submi . 'on Arlicl · : ub mi. sion hould include 5 printed copi cco mpanied with a ~1 /4 or 3-1/2·in h diskette. WordP -r fect . ftwar pr efer red. ubmi . ion hould be sent to th e editorial offic •and be ccompanied by return postage. Editorial guid lin available upon requ est. Tel phone 801·226-5555 or FAX80 1·226-8804 for more infonnation.
Advertising Adverti ing inquiries hould be dire ted to Kerri Jen s n.801·226-5555.
Letters Lett rs sho uld be mailed to th editorial offi e clo Letters: Th • writer's name. city and stat must b •includ d. We reserv the right 10 edit I tters,
Reprint Information Reprodu lion in whole is prohibited. Photocopying of individual 'gJ11 nts for research purpo .: is permitted, provided proper sourc cred its are included. Cl 19 9 Th • Journal of Air Medical Trnn pori (1 : 1046-9095) i publi shed monthly by WordP{'J'f I Publishing or. poration. Editori I and executiv • office at Z70 We tenter. Orem, Utah 84057. _ ond-clas po taR paid at Orem. Utah. POSTMASTER: nd address ch an g 10 Th Journal of Air Medi al Transport. 270 West enter.Orem, tah 114057. Subscription rat for U.S. and pas . 'on : $28 per year for I2 i u .$49fortwo years for 24 i u ubscribersout 'd th o United tat and Can d · add $ 18 per year for airmail postag . All foreign su bscribers . remit paym ent in U.s. doll drawn on a U.S. bank or make payment with American Expr , VI or M terCard.
The Journal of A ir Medical Transport • October 1989
GENERAL INFORMATION
Understanding, Support and Respect
Reg Ular SUbscription s
by Frank Thomas, MD It's difficult to believe that nearly 10 blamed pilots for bein g too "macho," years have past since the creation of and taking unnec essary risk s. Many th e first successful American air med- were talking, some were hearing, but ical society. At the time of our first few were listening. Improved underme eting in Houston, there were less standing began only wh en we recogthan 30 U.S. air medical helicopter pro- nized that fault wasn't polarized within grams. But the need to address com- anyone group-but rather it was our mon problems brought these services fault. I personally learned much from my together into a society that came to be pilot colleagues during thi s period. Piknown as ASHBEAMS. Our short history has exp erienced lots in my own program were initially stormy periods in its infancy. Turbu- opposed to a 3 or 4-pilot schedulelent time s began almost imm ediately something about flight pay and needwhen nurse s attending that first meet- ing the money. Ye t with e ncourageing were cordially uninvited from par- ment from some very special pilot colticipating. The result was formation of leagues we instituted first a 3- and later th e National Flight Nurses Association a 4-pilot program. I saw the difference (NFNA) . As this association dir ected immediately-less stress in their eyes. its interest at flight nursing issu es, the I also gained a little more understandneed for yet another association was ing of their concerns. We are a better created. The National Flight Para- and safer program than we were bemedic Association (NFPA) was ush- fore these changes. In the last two years, our as sociation ere d in to fill the void in issues of being boards have created th e Executiv e Lia flight paramedic. Rapid growth in the air medical in- aison Committee (ELC) . This commitdustry resulted in brisk growth of each tee is represented by members of of th ese societies. With growth came AAMS, NFNA, NFPA and NEMSPA increasing problems, and each associ- Its role is to fmd solutions to common ation struggled to be heard. This need problems. Sure, some disagreements to be heard often resulted in differing have arisen. But because of unique and viewpoints. Although independence tolerant members of this committee, was beneficial in establishing unique understanding and mutual support characteristics of each association, it have prevailed. often left outside observers with th e Our associations hav e come long impression of a fragmented indu stry. way s ince those early years, but much Who ca n forget the high rate of more can still be accomplished . Finan HEMS accidents in the early and mid- cial and regulatory pressures will con80's? And who were those guys out of tinue to increase. But our achievement Texas and their little band called the of future success will depend upon us . National EMS Pilots Association? How As we proceed, let us provide mutual dare they! Over-worked? We're all understanding, support, and respect over-worked! Some pilots blamed ad- to everyone engaged in furthering the ministrators and nurses for pilot pres- noble cause of air medical transport. 0 sures. They accused operators for not providing additional pilot support. Of Dr. Thomas is President , Association contrast, administrators and nurses ofAir Medical Services (AAMS) . 6
To subscribe to 7l~JollnuJl o/Ai, M~dical Transport, to change the ddr of your current ubscription, or to k QU lion about your ubscription, call or write th busin ofrle . ubscriplion rate for orth Am ri , $28 per year for 12 i. u or$49forlwoy for24i u . Su bscribers outside orth Am rica dd $18 per y ar for ainn iI postage All for ign subribera remit in U. dollars drawn on a U. . bank or mak • paym ent with Am rican Expr , VISA or M terCard.
As oclatlon Subsc rl tlon s
Paid-up m mbers of MM • NFNAand FPA receive n annual sub ription with their association membership. Qu lions r garding s u bsc ri p tio n and addr ' s s ch anR should be directed to th •appropriate a. sociation office.
Ba k i u
Back Iss ues
payabl in advance at $3 h. exce pt April Directory at $5 ch ,
Editorial Contr ibutio ns Journal 0/ Ai' Medical Transport
17r~
encourag arti I QU ries and submi . 'on Arlicl · : ub mi. sion hould include 5 printed copi cco mpanied with a ~1 /4 or 3-1/2·in h diskette. WordP -r fect . ftwar pr efer red. ubmi . ion hould be sent to th e editorial offic •and be ccompanied by return postage. Editorial guid lin available upon requ est. Tel phone 801·226-5555 or FAX80 1·226-8804 for more infonnation.
Advertising Adverti ing inquiries hould be dire ted to Kerri Jen s n.801·226-5555.
Letters Lett rs sho uld be mailed to th editorial offi e clo Letters: Th • writer's name. city and stat must b •includ d. We reserv the right 10 edit I tters,
Reprint Information Reprodu lion in whole is prohibited. Photocopying of individual 'gJ11 nts for research purpo .: is permitted, provided proper sourc cred its are included. Cl 19 9 Th • Journal of Air Medical Trnn pori (1 : 1046-9095) i publi shed monthly by WordP{'J'f I Publishing or. poration. Editori I and executiv • office at Z70 We tenter. Orem, Utah 84057. _ ond-clas po taR paid at Orem. Utah. POSTMASTER: nd address ch an g 10 Th Journal of Air Medi al Transport. 270 West enter.Orem, tah 114057. Subscription rat for U.S. and pas . 'on : $28 per year for I2 i u .$49fortwo years for 24 i u ubscribersout 'd th o United tat and Can d · add $ 18 per year for airmail postag . All foreign su bscribers . remit paym ent in U.s. doll drawn on a U.S. bank or make payment with American Expr , VI or M terCard.
The Journal of A ir Medical Transport • October 1989