REMSA PARAMEDICS CONTINUE SERVICE AT SPECIAL EVENTS

System Provides Medical Care for Visitors, Spectators, and Participants

August 6, 2002 – REMSA (Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority) paramedics continue to be prepared to provide Advanced Life Support for thousands of visitors as the region’s special events season continues with the kick off of Hot August Nights this week.

REMSA paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) will staff events throughout the region on foot, bicycles, and in golf carts, providing easy access to patients and swift movement among crowds.

During the summer, REMSA paramedics have been onsite to administer medical care during high profile events such as the Reno Rodeo, among others. “Paramedics will be providing medical services for Hot August Nights, Burning Man, the Reno Tahoe Open, Rib Cook-off, National Championship Air Races, Balloon Races, and BULLNANZA in addition to delivering medical services to the community,” said Eric Guevin, Director of Education for REMSA. “Our goal is to make the environment at these special events a safer one by rendering highly accessible medical attention.”

“Medical hazards are heightened at special events, as time is of the essence and crowds gather,” Guevin said. “By being more mobile we can provide medical care faster and reduce response time.”

REMSA employs a “system status management” model of service delivery. Under this vigorous system, ambulances and medical resources are continuously repositioned throughout the region, enabling these units to respond immediately as community conditions change throughout the day in preparation for special events, or when other population shifts occur, such as during high traffic volumes.

REMSA is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides the region with advanced life support paramedic ambulance services, the Care Flight emergency helicopter program and emergency medical dispatch services. REMSA provides patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720