RFD Attends National Conference for Pediatric Care
By RFD Watchdesk
February 3, 2019
Last week Royersford Fire Department was in attendance at the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator Learning Collaborative held in Austin, Texas. Royersford Fire Department has been a proud supporter of the PECC initiative in the commonwealth with our very own EMS Supervisor Lenny Brown being a member on the 14 person PECC Steering Committee. The Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator initiative focuses on creating a point of contact at every EMS organization who champions the importance of being prepared for the treatment and transport of pediatric patients. EMS organizations nationwide see an average of 6-8% of their call volume being pediatrics (17 or under) with Friendship seeing 144 of our 3,858 patients last year being pediatrics, or roughly 4%. Although this is a small subset of our total call volume, these patients are typically higher acuity and potentially require special or adaptive equipment not only for treatment but also for transport. By instituting a PECC at an ambulance organization such as Friendship there would be an advocate and an extra layer of continuity to ensure all pediatric equipment is stocked and ready for use as well as create partnerships to offer pediatric specific training developing a solid knowledge base of pediatric emergencies.
Representatives from nine states gathered at the AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin to discuss their state's respective projects and brainstormed ideas to overcome challenges. The two-day conference wrapped up with everyone taking away some great information and networking opportunities to continue their process through implementing a PECC program in their state.
Mutual Aid:
Representatives from: Connecticut, Kentucky, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin
Looking to the University of Texas Tower from the Conference Center
The Littlefield Fountain on the University of Texas campus
EMS Supervisor Lenny Brown representing RFD on the UT campus
No trip would be complete without snapping a photo of the local EMS organization of Austin-Travis County EMS
PECCLC Project Leader Duane Spencer speaking to the Pennsylvania project and progress being made.
EMS Supervisor Lenny Brown networking with Longhorn EMS Chief Anthony Liu