Welcome to home of EMSEPA the EMS Educators of Pennsylvania.
Let me tell you something about myself and why I started this page.
My name is Mike Touchstone. I’ve been involved in EMS since 1980 starting as a volunteer EMT for Narberth Ambulance in suburban Philadelphia. I became a paramedic in 1983 and started responding as paid emergency crew for Narberth when they took over the 911 response for Lower Merion Township. In 1985 I took a position in a hospital based ALS emergency service. By the time I left Delaware County Memorial Hospital I had been a shift supervisor for 2.5 years.
I joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1989, a member of the first Fire Service Paramedic Cadet Class. I worked on the street until 1997, precepting students and serving as an adjunct instructor at the Philadelphia Fire Academy. That year I started in the Continuous Quality Improvement unit as an acting lieutenant. I was promoted to Lt. in 1998 and continued in CQI until I was transferred to a field supervisor’s position. In 2002 I was transferred to EMS Training and I’ve been there since. I’m now the chief in charge of EMS Training at the Philadelphia Fire Academy and Director of the PFD EMS Training Institute. Over the years I’ve become an EMS Instructor and AHA BLS Training Center Faculty, taught at the National Fire Academy, finished my Bachelor’s degree, and presented at conferences.
Why is any of this important? It goes to credibility. I have walked the talk.
I feel, I strongly and passionately believe, that its time for the EMS educators in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to get together and help each other do what we do better. There are 4500 of us. Together we can accomplish a lot. Now is the time
I heard that the new EMS enabling legislation passed the state Senate today and has moved to the Governor to sign into law. The next step will be developing the rules and regulations. We need to be at the table participating in this process, not simply as individuals but as a strong group that is passionate about EMS; advocating for realistic and achievable standards while driving forward towards improvements in EMS education and training.
So here we are. What do we need to do? If you think this effort is important, join the site. We need to revise and adopt mission and vision statements. I’ve posted drafts already as a starting point. We need to identify stakeholders, and create a strategic plan. If we choose to become a real organization, we need bylaws.
The future is ours to make. I hope we can come together and create a strong vibrant organization. I hope there are enough people out there, people like you and me, who will choose to support this effort. I hope you will make the choice to take responsibility for the future. I hope we can make the choice, take the steps, do the work, and make EMS education and training better throughout the Commonwealth. Ultimately we can ensure the public is served by competent EMS practitioners.
It’s up to you. What will you choose?
Recent Comments