Latest News

January 16, 2020 - EMS Week 2020(May 17 - 23) is fast approaching! Who is that person who goes above and beyond during EMS calls, training, and leadership? Why not recognize them by nominating that person for an EMS Award! To submit a nomination, click here for the form. Save the date of May 19, 2020 for the State EMS awards ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the State Capitol (more info forthcoming). To learn more about EMS Week 2020, visit ACEP by clicking here.

January 8, 2020 - The Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offerring a course on Critical Incident Stress Management: Group Crisis Intervention. The class is free of charge, and will be offered on January 28 & 29 from 0800-1630 at the Skowhegan Police Department and on February 20 & 21 from 0800-1630 at the Augusta City Center. For info and the flyer, please click here.

December 24, 2019 - Maine EMS has released an FAQ on the 2019 protocols. Many providers gave feedback for clarification on some of the protocols and the MDPB has reviewed these. Please view the FAQs here. This document will also be available on MEMSEd and appropriate updates will be forthcoming on the protocol apps.

December 23, 2019 - Maine EMS (and all Maine State Offices) will be closing on Tuesday, December 24 at noon, and will remain closed on Wednesday, December 25 and Thursday December 26. We will reopen at 0800, Friday, December 27. Happy Holidays to all!

December 20, 2019 - The December 2019 issue of the Maine EMS QI Newsletter is available here.

• The QI Committee wanted to examine a patient care intervention that pertains to all care levels.
• The data in this newsletter is based on over 184,000 911 incidents that were queried from MEFIRS.
• The QI committee compared the number of times oxygen was administered to patients to the number of times O2 administration is potentially called for in the Maine EMS Protocols.
• The QI committee used the data to put together some strong provider take-away points for providers and service leaders to discuss and consider in their patient care efforts.

December 17, 2019 - The Maine EMS for Children program is pleased to share "Foundations of Pediatric Preparedness Conference". This conference is being supported by a collaborative effort by all of the New England EMS-C programs. This one day conference is on March 9, 2020 in Waltham, MA and will focus on pediatric topics for EMS, nursing, advanced practice and physician providers. CMEs for all levels have been approved and are available. More info and registration is at http://www.cvent.com/…/custom-18-96464b50184d477d8d6901b8ca…

December 11, 2019 - Maine EMS and the Education Committee wish to announce that there are two committee seat vacancies for the following positions:

• Northeast Region Representative (EMS Region 4)
• Non-Municipal EMS Training Officer Representative

The Education Committee is a 13-member standing committee of the EMS Board that meets monthly, on the second Wednesday of the month. Individuals interested in serving on the committee should submit a cover letter/letter of intent, and a curriculum vitae (CV) to Maine EMS by January 3, 2020.

Please submit application materials to Chris Azevedo, Maine EMS Education Coordinator, at Maine EMS. Please contact Chris Azevedo with any questions regarding the vacancies.
Email:  christopher.azevedo@maine.gov
Office:  207-626-3866

December 11, 2019 - Image Trend will be conducting an uograde to the eLicensing system on Tuesday, December 17 from 0900-1100. Users will not need to do anything, but there may be periods of up to 15 minutes where eLicensing is not available.

December 10, 2019 - Maine EMS has identified some transcription errors from the recordings of the in-person hearings and the transcripts. We have subsequently made the revisions to the transcripts based on our findings and have made the corrections to this updated rules comments list. The only errors were in the audio recordings, and for transparency, the complete audio recordings are available by following this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IxskCI1h9j4LzGWFTEq0NUkqDtCFvL_A

. Note - there was no audio recording for the Augusta hearing as there were no attendees, and there is no recording for the Bangor hearing as there was 1 attendee but no comments were offerred.

December 4, 2019 - Maine EMS has compiled a list of all of the comments received regarding the proposed Maine EMS Rules changes. The submitted list can be viewed here. The Rules Sub-Committee will be meeting on December 20 at 0900 at Maine EMS to review these submissions. This is a public meeting (although no further comments can be submitted at that time), The change document is here and the summary document is here.

December 2, 2019 - The 2019 Maine EMS protocols went active for ALL Maine EMS providers at 12:01am on Dec 1, 2019. There have been a few challenges regarding the protocol app. We have been working with the app developer and addressed a number of issues and resolved them. Features within the "Contact" and "Calculate" section are being revised witht he state medical directors and the app developer.If providers are having difficulty downloading the app to their smartphon/tablet, we suggest the following:

iOS Users - Delete the app from your device and redownload from the App Store. Once downloaded, if issues remian, try tapping the circle reload button on the top left of the home screen.

Android Users - The developer advises that issues may center around the users cache. To clear this (and resolve the issue):

1. Go to Settings / Maine EMS / Clear Cache

2. Then from settings, click Maine EMS and then click Uninstall App. If asked, click "OK" under erase all data

3. Go to Google Play Store and install the latest Maine EMS version (currently 2019.22)

November 25, 2019 - Maine EMS will be closing for the Thanksgiving holiday at noon on Wednesday, November 27 and reopen Monday, December 2 at 0800. We wish all a happy and safe holiday, especially those staffing the police, fire, EMS and communication agencies across the state.

November 13, 2019 - Please find a summary of the proposed Maine EMS Rules changes here. The document explains submission of comments, as well as links to the proposed Rules changes.

November 12, 2019 - The protocol update for the December 1, 2019 protocols is available for providers on MEMSEd. It can be found under Speciality Courses and then Protocols. The link to MEMSEd is https://memsed.maineems.org/LMS/ Any difficulties can be emailed to Maine EMS Education.

October 22, 2019 - Reminder that ImageTrend will be updating MEFIRS tomorrow, Wednesday Oct 23 between 10am and 3pm. Image Trend advises that a warning banner will appear 15 min prior to the site updating, which once underway will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

October 22, 2019 - Maine EMS is pleased to announce that Melissa Adams will be joining the Maine EMS staff as a Licensing Agent starting on November 12, filling the vacancy created when Chris Azevedo became the EMS Education Coordinator.

Melissa is a both a paramedic and certified EMD-Q who has worked with several EMS services in the Tri County region; and is currently a supervisor with the Oxford County Emergency Communications Center.

She will be working with Senior Licensing Agent Jason Oko to provide licensing support, including inspections and investigations.

Please join us in welcoming Mel to Maine EMS.

October 21, 2019 - The rescheduled 2019 EMS protocol Train the Trainer in Bangor will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 0800 til 1200 at EMCC at Rangeley Hall, 268 Sylvan Rd. No registration is required.

October 21, 2019 - Maine EMS would like to welcome Sam Hurley as the new Maine EMS Director. Officially starting today (10/21/19), Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and is eager to integrate into Maine EMS and meet with providers and stakeholders across the state. Keep your eyes peeled as Sam travels about and gets to know you and the Maine EMS system!

October 15, 2019 - Maine EMS Rules Hearings. As required by state law, Maine EMS is conducitng regional hearings for public comment on the proposed rules changes. A copy of the rules proposed can be located here. The times and locations of the rules hearings are:

Region 1: Monday, November 4, 2019 at 4:30pm at Maine Medical Center, 66 Bramhall Street, Portland in the Dana Center Auditorium.

Region 2: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 4:00pm at Central Maine Medical Center, 12 High Street, Lewiston in Conference Room A/B/C

Region 3: *Note corrected date* Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 4:00pm at Maine EMS, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta in the Champlain Conference Room

Region 4: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 4:00pm at Eastern Maine Community College, 268 Sylvan Road in Rangeley Hall

Region 5: Monday, November 4, 2019 at 4:00pm at Northern Light A.R.Gould Hospital, 150 Academy Street, Presque Isle in the McCain B Conference Room

Region 6: Friday, November 8, 2019 at 6:00pm at the Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton Street, Rockport (room will be posted, this is during the APEMS EMS Conference but you do NOT need to register or pay to attend this hearing)

October 15, 2019 - ImageTrend will be conducting a sitewide update on October 23, 2019 between 0800 and 1300. A printable notice can be found here.

October 4, 2019 - The posting for Business System Administrator (EMS Data & Preparedness Coordinator) has been reopened. This is a great opportunity for the right person to work in a positive and progressive EMS office – and play a key role in our state EMS system.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this announcement – and note that the closing date is Friday, October 11.

https://mainebhr.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk03per/

For more information, please contact

Jay Bradshaw, Interim Director
Maine Emergency Medical Services
45 Commerce Drive – Suite 1
152 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333

Main: (207) 626-3860
Direct: (207) 626-3865
Cell: (207) 620-6698

October 1, 2019 - APEMS has launched the website for info and to sign up for the 39th annual EMS Seminar held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine from November 6 through November 10. Click here to visit for more info.

September 30, 2019 - There will be paving at the Maine Commerce Center (home to Maine Department of Public Safety [EMS, Fire Marshal, State Police, MDEA, Highway Safety, Emergency Communications, and Gambling Control) during the month of October. A photo for parking and traffic flow is found here.

September 16, 2019 - We are very pleased to announce that Sam Hurley has been selected to be the Maine EMS Director. Sam is currently the EMS Division Chief for the District of Columbia Department of Health. Prior to moving to DC, he was an instructor for Emory EMS and a paramedic field training officer for two large ambulance services in Atlanta, GA. Sam has Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University, and an Executive Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management from Georgetown University.

September 13, 2019 - The final version of the Maine EMS protocols for December 1, 2019 and the protocol education classes can be downloaded as a pdf here.

September 10, 2019 - 2019 Maine EMS Protocol education and train-the trainer dates have been annunced. Please review the protocols prior to the course (and consider downloaded the pdf file to your laptop/tablet/smart-phone for reference during the course. (NOTE: The Maine EMS app on smart phones will not be updated until midnight on November 30, 2019 to prevent clinical care conflicts prior to the changeover on December 1). Additional rollouts will occur regionally and at the Midcoast EMS conference at the Samoset Resort in November. Info will be posted as available.

September 17, 6:00 pm, Dean Auditorium, MGMC Thayer, Waterville

September 25, 1:00 pm. Westbrook Central Fire Station, Westbrook

September 27th, Presque Isle, 12:00 pm, Northern Maine Community College, Edmunds Conference Room

October 9, Lewiston, 4:00 pm, Central Maine Medical Center, 12 High St, entrance, Conference Room A/B/C (Lower level) -This was originally and incorrectly listed as a 3pm start

October 10, Rockport, 5:00 pm, PenBay Medical Office Building, Conference Room C

October 17, 1:00 pm, Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College, Room TBD

September 10, 2019 - Maine EMS would like to share an operational bulletin about a recent near-miss with medication exchange. The bulletin can be read here.

September 6, 2019 - Based on some board of EMS changes and technical/layout changes, the most recent copy of the Maine EMS Rules Proposal is located here (PDF). Dates/times/locations will soon be announced for hearings in every region to allow public and stakeholder comments.

September 6, 2019 - Maine EMS has an opening for a Data and Preparedness Coordinator. The announcement and details can be viewed here (PDF).

September 4, 2019 - On behalf of his family, please find the arrangements for Paramedic John Whittier's funeral and celebration of life here. Please keep his family, friends and EMS community in your thoughts during this difficult time. John's obituary is found here.

September 3, 2019 - Maine EMS has an opening for a licensing agent.The announcement and details can be viewed by clicking here. The closing date is September 13, 2019.

August 16, 2019 - A final draft of the December 1, 2019 Maine EMS protocols can be found here. These are for review only and NOT in effect yet. There will be online and in-person education, along with smart phone apps released later this fall. Any questions can be directed to Chris Azevedo, who will bring forward to the MDPB. (Updated 9/13/19).

August 16, 2019 - The updated Maine EMS Comprehensive Airway Review Program Guidlines has been posted and can be found here or Under "Specialty Programs" on the Publications and Forms web page.

August 12, 2019 - Maine EMS is pleased to share the 2018 Data Report of all EMS responses from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. The data report pdf can be downloaded here. It is a large file.

August 9, 2019 - The Maine EMS-C Pediatric Data Report for Quarter 2 of 2019 is now available and can be downloaded here.

August 2, 2019 - Please take note of this clinical advisory bulletin from Maine EMS regarding nasopharygeal airways. View the pdf here.

July 19, 2019 - Westrbook Fire Department is offerring a free course on Devloping Resilience in the face of constant stress. Offerred to Police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and department chaplains. The course will be August 7 from 8am-5pm. Please click here for information to register.

July 8, 2019 - The National Association of State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Officials (NASEMSO) has released the Pediatric Transport Products for Ground Ambulances, Version 2. The document is a resource for EMS providers to determine existing options for securing infants and children who are transported by ambulance. It is not an endorsement for any product, and can be found on our website here.

July 1, 2019 - The Maine State EMS offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 in recogntion of Independence Day. Happy 4th to all.

June 27, 2019 - The proposed Maine EMS Rules changes document is now available for public review. In the coming months, the Board of EMS will be conducting public hearings and accepting testimony regarding many changes to the EMS Rules. An advance PDF copy of the proposed rules is available here. Once the hearing dates, times and locations have been established, that information will be posted to our website, Facebook page, shared with regional EMS offices, and shared via our new email notification platform (Sign up here!).

June 27, 2019 - Maine EMS is announcing rulemaking hearings on July 11, 2019 regarding the Community Paramedicine Rules changes. These hearings are for the chapter regarding community paramedicine only, and future hearings will be scheduled and held regarding the larger package of EMS rules changes. Information and location of the hearings can be found here. A PDF copy of Chapter 19 - Community Paramedicine can be downloaded here.

June 26, 2019 - MEMSEd will be down for a few days as the Muskie School conducts testing and platform implementation of the new and improved resource. Stay tuned for more info and updates coming soon!

June 24, 2019 - You can now sign up for Email notifications from Maine EMS. Pick the topics you are interested in and opt in or out anytime. Click here to sign up!

June 19, 2019 - Maine EMS is announcing rulemaking hearings on July 11, 2019 regarding the Community Paramedicine Rules changes. These hearings are for the chapter regarding community paramedicine only, and future hearings will be scheduled and held regarding the larger package of EMS rules changes. Information and location of the hearings can be found here.

June 19, 2019 - The new Maine EMS Comprehensive Airway Review Program can be found under "publications and Forms" under the Specialty Program Category. A direct link is here. The introductory White Paper is here.

June 11, 2019 - Maine EMS has released an updated information sheet on pediatric endotracheal tubes specified for Maine licensed EMS services. This can be read here (PDF).

May 30, 2019 - Maine EMS is issuing an advisory notice about a recent oxygen regulator failure. Read the information here (PDF).

May 24, 2019 - There is a program on Group Crisis Intervention Training being offerred at the New Gloucester Fire Department on June 27 & 28 from 0800-1630 each day. Flyer and registration information can be found here (PDF).

May 20, 2019 - Jay Bradshaw has been appointed the Interim Director for Maine EMS while a job search is underway. He can be reached via email and at 207-626-3865. A link to the job posting can be found here (PDF).

May 9, 2019 - New mild TBI guidlines and sample order sets for hospitals and transfers has been published by the Maine EMS Trauma Advisory Committee. They can be viewed on the TAC Resource page located here (PDF).

May 9, 2019 - There will be an emergency Maine EMS Board Meeting May 10, 2019 at 0930. A scheduled executive sesssion wil take place regarding an interim Maine EMS director. Agenda is located here (PDF).

April 22, 2019 - Please read this notice regarding potential vape pens and e-cigarettes and the possible risk of fire and/or exposion.

April 17. 2019 - Maine EMS has an opening for an Office Associate II. The application period is open through May 1, 2019, and specific details and application processes can be found here.

April 16, 2019 - The monthly Maine EMS-C Newsletter is now avaialble! Cick here for a copy.

April 16, 2019 - The Maine EMS QI Committee has released a new quarterly newsletter/ This inagural issue includes extensive data on naloxone use in Maine. The newsletter can be viewed here, and the same newsletter with an appendix for service leaders to run the same reports for their specific agency is located here.

April 16, 2019 - Gray Fire/Rescue is hosting a free course on "Responding to Non-Fatal Strangulation for First Responders" on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 0800-1200. Click here for the flyer and registration information.

April 10, 2019 - NHSTA has released the 2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model that supports a system of EMS personnel licensure that is common in other allied health professions and is a guide for States in developing their Scope of Practice legislation, rules, and regulation. View/download the guide here.

April 8, 2019 - Maine EMS-C has published a report on all pediatric responses by Maine EMS providers for the first quarter of 2019. The report can be found here.

March 28, 2019 - A day long conference on Stress and Suicide Prevention Skills for First Responders in Cumberland County is being held on May 11, 2019 from 8am - 3pm at the Gray-New Gloucester High School. This program is free of charge and CEHs are available. For info and registration, click here.

March 27, 2019 - (UPDATED INFO) Hot Topics in Cardiac Resusciatation - Attend one of the premier conferences in cardiac resusciatation right next door on May 30 and 31. $25 registration fee for 2 days of speakers, including the medical director for King County's Resuscitation Academy, the incoming president of NAEMSP, and the principal investigator of the Resusciatation Outcomes Consortium. This course is part of the developing Northern New England Resusciatatio Academy, a partnership between Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Click here for the brochure. Click here for registration link.

March 25, 2019 - Maine State Legislative Bill updates and summaries that impact EMS can be found here. Thanks to the Maine Ambulance Association for their continuing efforts at organizing the many legislative processes.

March 21, 2019 - APEMS is offerring a variety of courses in the coming months. Click on the name to view the flyer and registration information.

• ACLS Recertification
• ACLS Full Course
• ACLS for Experienced Providers
• PALS Recertification
• PALS Full Course
• PEARS Ful Course

March 21, 2019 - A 2 day CISM training will be held at Cape Elizabeth Fire Department on May 16 and 17 from 0800-1630 each day. Click here for more information.

March 15, 2019 - The March EMS for Children Newsletter is available here.

March 14. 2019 - Trauma Across the Spectrum - Learn from some of the best in trauma care in Maine. This conference is on Friday April 26, 2019 and begins at 8 am atMaine Medical Center. Click here for the brochure & registration form.

March 5, 2019 - There are a variety of Maine Legislative Bills that could affect EMS. Download a summary sheet and links to each of the bills here.

March 1, 2019 - There will be a Mental Health/PTSD and the First Responder Symposium & Dinner held at Eastern Maine Community College on May 7. 2019. Click here for the flyer and more information.

February 26, 2019 - The State of Maine has issued an RFP for each of the six EMS regions for EMS Regional Coordination. The document is here, and the link to the website (RFP # 201902028) is here. A letter of intent (Appendix F in the document) MUST be submitted by March 1, 2019 to Shaun St. Germain. This may be emailed to shaun.a.stgermain@maine.gov. Any questions, please email Director St. Germain or call 207-626-3860.

February 20, 2019 - A long lost Maine EMS 2018 Protocols FAQ memo has been re-added to the publications and form page or can be viewed here.

February 14, 2019 - The February Maine EMS-C newsletter can be found here

February 14, 2019 - EMS Week (May 20 - 24) is fast approaching! Who is that person who goes above and beyond during EMS calls, training, and leadership? Why not recognize them by nominating that person for an EMS Award! Submit a nomination here.

February 5, 2019 - 11th Annual Maine Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference April 23, 2019, Augusta. Schedule & Registration

February 5, 2019 - Atlantic Partners EMS is accepting proposals for the 39th annual EMS Conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME, November 6-10, 2019. Click here to submit a proposal.

January 31, 2019 - NHTSA releases EMS Agenda 2050

December 29, 2018 - Maine EMS Position Statement on Evidentiary Blood Draws