Huron Valley Ambulance December 2008 Newsletter

Washtenaw County Edition December 2008

Over 280 visit drive-through flu shot clinic

On November 8, HVA and Washtenaw County Public Health (WCPH) held Washtenaw County's first drive-through flu shot clinic at HVA's main headquarters at 1200 State Circle, Ann Arbor. Visitors were routed through the parking lot, where they registered and read information about this year's vaccine. Surveys taken that day indicate that the longest total time at the clinic was 20 minutes during the busier hours while most visitors made it through the clinic in 10 minutes. 

Two cars were brought into the garage at one time and "pit crews" of paramedics or public health nurses checked paperwork and vaccinated visitors while they sat in their cars. In six hours, we vaccinated 286 people.

The clinic seemed to appeal to younger people who ordinarily might not have sought a flu shot due to lack of time, lack of a regular physician or lack of money. The shots were $20 each. Most visitors stated that they came because of the price and the convenience. The average age was about 46 and visitors were close to evenly split between men and women.

WCPH also used this as a training exercise to test the county's readiness in case a disease epidemic requires mass immunizations.

Special thanks to the volunteers from the Junior League of Ann Arbor and WAAM, our Media Sponsor!

Learn all about EMS — HVA Citizens Academy starts February 4

Would you like to learn what to do in an emergency? Have you ever toured a hospital emergency department? Apply to join our second annual HVA Citizens Academy! Starting in February, 2009, our Citizens Academy will provide these opportunities and more as you explore the world of Emergency Medical Services.  Modeled after HVA’s successful Camp 911 program and citizens police academies, the Academy runs for 8 weeks on consecutive Wednesdays, February 4 through March 25, 6:00 to 9:00 pm at HVA, 1200 State Circle in Pittsfield Township.  The program is offered free of charge as a community service.

Additional Academy highlights are an HVA tour, including the 9-1-1 Call Center; CPR and First Aid certification; emergency care equipment demonstrations; interaction with police and fire departments; and more.

The HVA Citizens Academy is open to 25 participants on a first come, first served basis.  Applicants must be high school graduates and Washtenaw County residents.  For more information or to register for the class, call Jason Trojan, HVA Community Relations Coordinator, at 734-477-6781 or email him at jtrojan@hva.org.

HVA Honor Guard makes their debut

HVA's newly formed EMS Honor Guard, comprised of ten HVA paramedics and EMTs, made their first appearance on December 13 at HVA's holiday party. Although Honor Guards are common in military, police and fire departments, they have only recently started to become popular in Emergency Medical Servces.

Our uniformed Honor Guard bears three flags (U.S., Michigan, HVA) and respectfully represents HVA and EMS at different details throughout the year, including parades, award banquets, dedications, funerals and memorial services. If you have an event that might warrant the HVA Honor Guard, call 734-477-6241 or e-mail Paul Hood, phood@hva.org.

News to know

Andy the Ambulance (at right) is ready to teach your children's group about 9-1-1 and safety. Call Community Relations at 734-477-6781 or e-mail jtrojan@hva.org.

Our paramedics now wear reflective vests when providing care at motor vehicle accidents. The vests, now required by law, help with visibility on the roads, especially in the dark.

HVA President and CEO Dale Berry was recently elected Treasurer of the American Ambulance Association, a professional organization that represents ambulance services and promotes health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry.

For more information about anything in this newsletter, please reply to it or call Joyce Williams, Public Affairs Manager, at 734-477-6285.