Latest news with #AmericanMedicalResponse
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AMR says May 'particularly deadly' for overdoses in Manchester, Nashua
May was a 'particularly deadly' month for fatal overdoses in the state's two largest cities, according to data released Wednesday by American Medical Response (AMR). AMR medics responded to a total of 43 suspected opioid overdoses in Nashua and Manchester last month — 31 in Manchester and 12 in Nashua. Eleven of those incidents were fatal; nine in Manchester, two in Nashua. Chris Stawasz, regional director of AMR, said 11 deaths in one month are nearly twice the average of monthly deaths reported over the past year. 'October 2023 was the last time we observed a double-digit loss of life in a single month between the two cities,' Stawasz said in a statement. Twenty-six percent of the suspected opioid ODs AMR medics responded to in May were fatal, data shows. An Overdose Response Strategy Situational Awareness Bulletin from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued June 6 reported a surge in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses across Connecticut, Stawasz said. According to the bulletin, between May 16 and June 6 there were 61 suspected fatal overdoses statewide in Connecticut, with 'noticeable clustering' along the I-91 and I-95 corridors and in the cities of New Haven and Hartford. 'That Connecticut surge seems to correlate to the surge in deaths we experienced here in Nashua and Manchester,' Stawasz said. 'The bulletin suggests that polysubstance combinations and higher concentrations of fentanyl may be contributing factors to the current spike in overdose deaths.' May did continue the recent trend of lower overall opioid overdose totals in both communities, 16% below the rolling 12-month average, data shows. Manchester continues to trend well below last year (down 34%) for total opioid overdoses and 13% below last year for suspected fatal overdoses. Nashua also continues to be trending lower in total opioid ODs (down 9%) but trends significantly higher (up 69%) in suspected opioid related deaths. In 2024, Manchester and Nashua recorded the lowest number of overdoses in a year since the COVID pandemic. There were 710 suspected overdoses in Manchester and Nashua in 2024 — 526 of those occurred in Manchester, 184 in Nashua. Sixty-six overdoses were fatal in 2024 — 46 in Manchester, 20 in Nashua. Nashua recorded both the lowest number of suspected opioid overdoses and lowest number of suspected opioid deaths in one year since AMR began tracking the data in 2015. 'Keep in mind that due to the nature of the opioid epidemic and its clear history of unpredictability, it is always possible that the trend of lower numbers could quickly change — as evidenced this month,' Stawasz said. 'These seemingly marked statistical improvements by no means signal that the opioid epidemic is 'under control' or close to elimination. With Narcan now widely available and free, it is highly likely that many overdoses are continuing to occur, but without 911 intervention.' According to AMR, of the 43 suspected opioid overdoses reported in May in both Manchester and Nashua, 53% occurred in a home or residence, 21% happened in a public building or area and 9% were in vehicles or in a roadway. Five percent were in a jail or prison. Two percent occurred in a hotel or motel. In 21% of the overdoses, a bystander or member of the public administered Narcan before EMS personnel arrived. Overall, 42% of those involved in suspected opioid overdoses gave no fixed address or said they were homeless. Of the 43 suspected overdoses in both cities, 58% were males, 42% females. The majority of victims, 72%, were Caucasian. Ninety-three percent of overdose response calls involved a first encounter with an individual and 7% involved repeat encounters. In New Hampshire, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the N.H. Doorway program 24/7. To access the N.H. Doorway program, call 211 at any time of the day or night, or visit If you believe someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DeKalb County sees quicker EMS response times
The Brief EMS response times are down by almost 3 minutes in DeKalb County. Officials say the faster response times are thanks to a $3.8 million investment and $4.89 million subsidy to AMR. The county also offers two programs to keep EMTs from responding to "preventable" 911 calls. DECATUR, Ga. - DeKalb County residents are seeing quicker EMS response times, according to county officials. What we know The county says this improvement is due to a $3.8 million investment from February 2024. The money went toward hiring more emergency medical technicians for DeKalb County Fire Rescue, as well as funding support staff to help stop "preventable 911 use." The county says it also extended its agreement with American Medical Response, giving the company a $4.89 million subsidy to increase the number of AMR ambulances serving DeKalb County. Now, DeKalb County says EMTs are getting to emergencies almost 3 minutes faster than before February 2024. What they're saying "We are excited about this high-performing system improvement through initiatives, resource investments, and constant leadership support," said DeKalb County Fire Rescue Chief Darnell Fullum. "Together, these strategic efforts are building a more responsive, efficient, and patient-centered EMS system for DeKalb County." Dig deeper DeKalb County offers two programs it says can help keep EMTs available for emergency calls. One is called the Healthcare Education and Linked Services (HEALS) team, which works with people to get them longer-term care options, rather than using EMTs. There is also the Nurse Navigator program, which helps 911 callers decide if they need an ambulance or if they can seek another level of care. The Source Information for this article came from a press release by DeKalb County officials.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DeKalb Co. to invest $4.89 million in expanding ambulance fleet, longer EMS partnership with AMR
DeKalb County announced they'd be investing millions of dollars to improve their emergency medical services and expand the county ambulance fleet. According to county officials, the contract for emergency medical services with American Medical Response was extended through June 30, 2026. Additionally, the county government agreed to pay a $4.89 million subsidy to expand the number of AMR ambulances in service. The move includes adding new ambulance units, more personnel and operational support resources. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Explosion rocks Villa Rica after outbuilding at ammo supply shop catches fire Boat found circling on Allatoona Lake with no one on board Water main break shuts down road in Dunwoody, dozens of customers impacted "As a result of these efforts, the system has seen measurable improvements, including a 2-minute and 48-second reduction in response times for critical calls, 18% more AMR ambulance unit hours on the road, and 58% more DCFR ambulance unit hours on the road since 2024," county officials said in a statement. DeKalb County Fire Rescue has also partnered with local hospitals to reduce how long it takes for patients to be offloaded from ambulances to emergency rooms. 'We are excited about this high-performing system improvement through initiatives, resource investments, and constant leadership support', DeKalb County Fire Rescue Chief Darnell Fullum said. 'Together, these strategic efforts are building a more responsive, efficient, and patient-centered EMS system for DeKalb County.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
National EMS memorial procession to stop in Somerset
A traveling memorial honoring EMS professionals who died in the line of duty is set to appear in Somerset on Tuesday, June 24. The National EMS Memorial Service's annual procession began June 1 in Riverside, Calif., and will culminate in Arlington on July 19. The procession will make 29 stops in 19 states, including Somerset, to remember 29 EMS professionals who died in the line of duty. On June 24, Somerset-Pulaski County EMS will host the Moving Honors procession. It will take place at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Somerset, at the corner of W. Oak and N. Main streets. Parking is available in the First Baptist Church rear parking lot on N. Vine Street. The event will feature local speakers as well as a remembrance of Somerset-Pulaski County EMS EMT Chastian McWhorter, who died in the line of duty on April 1, 2024 as a result of a vehicular accident. He was 26 years old. The event marks one of the many stops along the 6,500-mile journey to Arlington where fallen EMS providers will be honored as part of the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor. At the heart of the journey is a specially wrapped ambulance carrying the Tree of Life — this year's installment of the memorial bearing the names of those lost. Built by EMS volunteers, the Tree is transported with reverence and remains sealed until its unveiling at the national service. A replica Tree of Life will be on display at each stop, offering communities a space to pause, reflect, and honor lives of service. One of the Moving Honors representatives supporting this year's procession is American Medical Response (AMR) paramedic Megan Haverkamp, now in her fifth year with the crew. What began as a one-time request to drive an ambulance from Texas to Virginia has become a deeply personal tradition. Haverkamp now helps escort the Tree of Life alongside 'Chief Ted E Bear,' a comfort companion who helps children of fallen EMS providers cope with loss. 'Each stop is a moment to remember, to honor and to let families and fellow providers know that their loved ones are not forgotten,' Haverkamp said. 'What continues to move me is how everyone comes together, whether they knew the honorees personally or not, to show their love and support.' 'This moving tribute is only possible because of the shared commitment from agencies across the country and the generous support of organizations like Global Medical Response,' said Jana Williams, National EMS Memorial Service immediate past president. 'It is extraordinary witnessing so many who join alongside us to honor our fallen and to support their loved ones in such an impactful way.' The National EMS Memorial Service, founded in 1991, is a volunteer-driven organization funded solely by donors to honor fallen EMS providers and support their families and colleagues. It is the congressionally sanctioned entity that bestows the highest honor in EMS to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While a permanent national memorial is still in development, a new panel is constructed each year and added to the Tree of Life, a temporary memorial, which continues to grow and honor those lost in the line of duty. The Moving Honors procession not only brings awareness and additional homage to the honorees but also provides a space for the public to pay respect and send messages of hope to families and EMS professionals. The REMEMBERship program is a unique way to sustain the mission of the NEMSMS, offering a simple way to donate and keep the legacy of fallen heroes alive.
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Body pulled out of Central Valley canal, investigation underway
Authorities in Ceres are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in a canal over the weekend. Ceres police say they got a report from concerned citizens around 6 p.m. Sunday about a possible body in a canal along Moore Road, north of Roeding Road. With the help of Modesto Fire and American Medical Response personnel, the body was pulled out of the canal. Medics pronounced the person dead minutes later, police say. No form of identification was found with the person's body. Exactly how the person died is now under investigation by the Stanislaus County Coroner's Office.
