Emergency Medical Services and Tactical Medicine Expo

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) Department of Emergency Medicine held its Third Annual Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Tactical Medicine Expo on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, from 9 a.m. to noon, which took place at the ARMC helicopter landing area. This was free event open to the community and included student participation from Colton High School, the Reach Out Program and Western University to name a few. Local EMS organizations showcased their life-saving techniques and equipment, which included San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Probation Department, Inland Valley SWAT Team, City of Colton and City of Rialto Fire Departments, and San Bernardino Medical Reserve Corps. There will be interactive demonstrations by the various units participating and attendees can speak with officials involved. ARMC’s Emergency Department is a Level II Trauma Center and remains one of the most technologically advanced health care institutions in the country. This event enabled attendees to learn about ARMC’s emergency medical services capabilities and how they work with various organizations within the local area. It also provided the opportunity to share information with resident physicians, physician assistants, nurses and other medical professionals regarding the many challenges that EMS personnel undergo. As part of ARMC’s Community Engagement Plan and San Bernardino County’s “Cradle to Career” efforts, there was about 50 students from Colton High School’s Health Education Academy of Learning (HEAL) Program attending. These students expressed an interest in a healthcare career and their involvement is supported by the Education, Health Career Pathways objective of the hospital’s Community Engagement Plan. The EMS Expo took place during National EMS Week, with the nation honoring EMS professionals across the country for their dedication to public service. In 1973, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities.