September 2, 2007
Most of our department members have always been American Red Cross “First Aid” and “CPR” qualified.
However, we have dramatically increased our medical response capability during 2006.
We secured an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) in early 2006 and have trained all firefighters in its use. This AED, an oxygen bottle and backboard have been placed in brush truck # 421 which is normally the first unit to respond to most emergencies. In addition, the Tierra Linda Ranch Homeowners Association has purchased another AED and oxygen bottle for the north end of the ranch that is located at the stone house. Sam & Marcia Barrett have donated a back board that has been placed at the stone house.
We encourage all homeowner associations in our district to purchase AED’s and advise the department of its location.
Also, we are pleased to inform you that our Medical First Responder Program has been implemented in 2006. Recruitment of qualified personnel and intensive training of current department members made this program possible. The first responder program should provide rapid treatment of patients prior to the arrival of an ambulance.
In addition, six of our department members have completed the requirements to obtain the American Red Cross “Emergency Response” certification.
The six individuals with American Red Cross “Emergency Response” qualifications are also in pursuit of certification as “Emergency Care Attendant” with the Texas Department of Health. This should be accomplished soon if we can arrange for a TDH representative to observe their skills so the state test can be scheduled.
The interest and qualifications these individuals have in the medical first responder field is illustrated below:
1. Marcia Barrett - Has been with the American Red Cross for 37 years as an Instructor, Instructor Trainer and Safety Specialist. Marcia has a Doctorate in Psychology and taught a variety of courses at UT Brownsville including First Aid and CPR to Nursing, Criminal Justice and Education Students.
2. Samuel Barrett -- Has been with the American Red Cross for 42 years as an Instructor, Instructor Trainer, Safety Specialist, Instructor Trainer Educator and is also on the Service Council for the Southwest Region heading up Health and Safety for those 5 states. Sam has a Doctorate in Psychology and has actively trained Instructor Trainers in First Aid and CPR throughout the southwest (including professors for colleges).
3. Ed Whitaker -- Retired from the National Park Service where for 29 years was certified as an "Emergency Medical Technician-A" in five states and The National Registry.
4. Dr. Tommy Noonan - Texas Board of Medical Examiners 1982 to present Lic. # G2197. Certification: Board Certified Surgery. Professional Positions: Chest surgery, Vascular surgery, General surgery, Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff. Presently retired but is the Volunteer Physician of Health and Wellness Center Schreiner University and teaching Lifetime Wellness at Schreiner University.
5. Gregoria Noonan - Is an R.N. . She graduated ranked first in her class from nursing school. Licensure: Texas Board of Nurse Examiners. Certification: Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support. Professional Positions: Emergency Room Charge Nurse, Med Surg Floor Charge Nurse, Recovery Room Nurse, Director of Nursing- Brady Long Term Care and Rehab Center, Endoscopy Nursing, Outpatient Surgery Nursing, and Trauma Coordinator for Heart of Texas Memorial Hospital. Currently: Semi-Retired, serving as Recovery Room Nurse at Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital.
6. Laura Emmons - Has a B.S. in Medical Technology and has worked and consulted for hospital blood banks and transfusion services for 21 years. She has also worked for the American Red Cross Blood Services (Northeast Region) for 5 years.
In addition, three of our members (shown below) have completed even more intensive training and have been certified as “Emergency Medical Technician” (EMT) by the Texas Department of Health.
1. Erik Sleeper - is an EMT for the San Antonio Fire Department and volunteers his free time to the TLVFD.
2. Amy Ives -- Is an EMT and Registered Nurse.
3. Bud Kersten - Has graduated from the Bulverde-Spring Branch EMS Education Center which involved over 150 class hours, home study/online testing over 500 hours, emergency room 16 hrs, ambulance service 36 hrs, trauma life support 16 hours, pediatric education 8 hours, geriatric emergency medical 8 hours, and emergency extraction tool 8 hours. Bud has past the National Registry Certificate for EMT (#B1839657). He has also received the Texas Department Of Health Services License.
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