Back to school: the ultimate pediatric call

EMS agencies will continue to respond to calls that have varying levels of seriousness in the school setting. Although most calls will be routine, the potential for a large-scale incident is ever-present. School districts and EMS agencies have to be proactive in developing a plan for responding to these situations. This proactive attitude is essential in fostering cooperation and communication between the school and EMS. It enables us to achieve the goal of making our schools safer. The process in reaching this goal is ongoing and evolving. As an EMS provider, I am aware of the high anxiety that accompanies a call involving a seriously injured child. If the call involves five, 10 or more severely injured kids, the stress can be unbelievable. A plan of action that has been carefully developed, practiced and critiqued will lessen the anxiety and stress. As a teacher, I want my workplace and my students to be safe. If a situation arises, knowing that a planned response is in place, and knowing what I'm supposed to do, gives me the confidence to deal with the event so I can help my students. Finally, as a parent, it is important that my children are in a safe environment in which to learn. If an emergency response is needed, I want to know a good plan will go into effect. That would assure me that the people responsible for the health and safety of my children have done all they can to make school a safer place.