2021 News Archive
Streets of COVID Documentary to Focus on First Responders
A Michigan paramedic is working on a documentary film that will focus on EMS providers working through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Streets of Covid” will be a feature-length documentary focused on the personal impact of the pandemic on EMS providers, as well as the challenges of providing care in non-clinical and public spaces during a pandemic, according to a press release.
“There’s no doubt that the entire healthcare and public safety worlds have been affected by the pandemic,” says Kolby Miller, a 30-year Michigan paramedic and the film’s producer, in a statement. “However, the story of EMS is different. It needs to be told with a specific focus, rather than a film that features other providers with EMS represented as ‘…and EMS.'”
Read the complete article here.
January 13, 2021
Asset of the Month - January 2021
The first featured asset of 2021 is the gas powered 4×4 Kawasaki Mule 3010 medic cart! Equipped with a MEDLITE patient transport skid and optional second row seat (without patient transport equipment).
LRAA has over 100 assets available. View our full Asset Catalog here for more information and for a full description.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
January 13, 2021
La. Dept. of Health Informational Bulletin 21-02 – Medicaid Managed Care Provider Issue Resolution
Please see the attached informational bulletin which outlines the options available to ambulance providers for pursuing resolution of claims payment issues. It includes contact information for the transportation brokers and the managed care organizations.
See attachment here.
January 19, 2021
Every year, nearly 10 million rural Americans receive emergency medical services (EMS) care. There are 23,272 ambulance agencies in the U.S., and 73% of those agencies report serving rural areas. Thus, rural Americans rely on EMS professionals to deliver life-saving emergency care every day. Rural Americans expect and deserve an EMS system that is ready and capable of caring for their emergency treatment and transportation needs.
Additional Resources of Interest:
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More information about the RUPRI Health Panel: Rural Policy Analysis and Applications
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More information from the Rural Health Information Hub’s topic guides: Rural Healthcare Workforce, Rural Health Policy
Attached documents were published by the Rural Health Research & Policy Centers, and prepared by RUPRI Health Panel
See attachment here.
February 5, 2021
Asset of the Month - February 2021
We all know printers never work when you need them, and you don’t always have one on hand when you need it! If you find yourself needing a printer for all that paperwork during a disaster response situation check out our February asset of the month, the HP Office Jet Pro for disaster response trailer.
LRAA has over 100 assets available. View our full Asset Catalog here for more information and for a full description.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
February 9, 2021
Louisiana Ambulance Providers Take on Ice Storm
On Monday February 15, 2021 an ice storm swept through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and much of the country. Thanks to all of the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance
crews and providers for their diligent work during the storm to in ensuring the safety of everyone. Throughout this rough, unpredictable season, we remain grateful for the work of the EMS industry in Louisiana!
February 24, 2021
Governor Edwards Attends Acadian Ambulance Operations Center Grand Opening
Gov. John Bel Edwards joined state and local officials Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of the Acadian Ambulance operations center, located in Lake Charles’ Nellie Lutcher Cultural District.
The 18,000-square-foot facility at 721 Enterprise Blvd. that once housed Dimmick Supply Co. underwent a $1.9 million renovation. It will serve as the administrative and fleet center for Acadian Ambulance’s SWLA operations and also has an ambulance crew station, offices for Acadian Total Security and classrooms for the Lake Charles campus of Acadian’s National Emergency Medical Services Academy.
“This facility is a tremendous example of a good thing happening at the right place at exactly the right time,” the governor said.
Edwards said Southwest Louisiana residents “have been through a tremendous ordeal over the past year” with Hurricanes Laura and Delta.
“Every time I come to Lake Charles, I see progress,” he said. “But I’m also reminded that we have a long way to go.”
See full article here.
March 18, 2021
Asset of the Month - March 2021
The truth is, vehicles breakdown and in the emergency services industry you never know when you’ll have to make an emergency pad landing. There are many reasons our providers may find themselves in need of road flares. That’s why our March 2021 asset of the month is our rechargable LED road flares.
LRAA has over 100 assets available. View our full Asset Catalog here for more information and for a full description.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
March 18, 2021
Training opportunity – Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Do you transport or interact with children who have special health care needs?
“Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs” is designed to serve as an enrichment training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians who are interested in learning more about special needs transportation. The 2-day training combines classroom lectures and discussions with hands-on exercises including interactions with families. Participants will be introduced to medical conditions that can affect restraint selection and have the opportunity to investigate and install specialized restraint systems. The training includes a written exam and proficiency check-offs that evaluate the student’s ability to assess appropriate restraints and to demonstrate proper use and installation.
See attachment here.
May 5, 2021
It is safe to say that the Alliance may have celebrated EMS Week all month long in May! Now that our staff is fully vaccinated, we had the wonderful opportunity to get out of the office and visit Alliance members across the state.
Annie, Rachel, and Sara were able to visit every provider to deliver yard signs and goodie bags as a token of our appreciation, leading up to EMS Week!
Annie and Rachel along with lobbyist, Mike Thibodeaux, represented the Alliance as exhbitiors at the 2021 Police Jury Association of Louisiana 2021 Annual Conference.
During EMS Week, the Louisiana Senate passed a resolution to recognize May 16-22, 2021 as EMS Week statewide. Alliance staff was also able to set up tables in the Capitol rotunda, alongside End the Epidemic LA, LANREMT, and BEMS.
In celebration of “Safety Day” during EMS, Rachel and Annie hosted a Deterra Bag giveaway at a local Napoleonville Pharmacy and were able to giveaway over 50 Deterra Bags to the general public.
During the last week of May, the Alliance hosted the 4th CORES meeting of the year in Woodworth, LA. We also had the Hurricane Pre-plan Meeting, lead by Alliance Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Rob Daughdrill. We reviewed Emergency SURGE policy, procedures, and paperwork.
Thank you all so much for a great month! We look forward to many more future meetings and enjoy seeing everyone in person after such a tumultuous year!
June 3, 2021
Asset of the Month – June 2021
Did you know our Asset Catalog has more than just generators and trailers? We also have office supplies, like our June Asset of the Month, the Da-Lite Picture King 84″ x 84″ Matte White Projector Screen with carrying case.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
June 3, 2021
First, please allow me to thank YOU, the rural EMS providers for partnering with ACE 4 EMS to bring EMS Education into “Real Rural” Louisiana.
If it weren’t for many of you, having the vision and support of bringing EMS Education to the rural communities for those interested in serving their communities as EMS practitioners, we would not have survived!
We are excited to report, we are wrapping up 6 EMR classes consisting of 57 future Louisiana Licensed EMRs by the end of this week and recently graduated 10 Louisiana Licensed EMRs in Assumption Parish, taught by one of our ACE4EMS alumni.
Lauri Cavalier registered for an EMT class three years ago and graduated as the top student in the class. But what makes that even more special is, Laurie lives in Pierre Part and drove to Iowa, La. (152 miles) for her live classes. A year later she registered for an ACE4EMS EMS Educator class in Baton Rouge. For the last two years, she has been serving as adjunct faculty and teaching within her own community. In 2020, she once again registered for an ACE4EMS AEMT class held at the CLTCC Winnfield campus, a mere 209-mile drive. It is because of dedicated EMS providers like yourselves, Laurie had the opportunity to not only become an EMT but advance her scope of practice to better serve her rural community as an AEMT. Laurie volunteers for the Pierre Part Fire Department, who hosted the recent EMR class, and reached out to other fire departments within the area.
As a result of that class, Alliance administrator, Ms. Yvette LeBlanc, is now a Louisiana Licensed EMR, fired up and ready to represent LAA. Please congratulate her next time you see her!
In addition to Laurie, Meagan Johnson and Bethany Holdeman have joined with ACE4EMS to continue our mission. Our EMS hybrid/online courses are being led by Meagan Johnson, NRP, CCP, NAEMSE/BEMS educator. Meagan has successfully assisted and advanced EMS students with their career path and serves as an NREMT examiner. Meagan is a Louisiana and Mississippi, licensed Paramedic actively working in EMS.
Bethany Holdeman (Betz), NREMT, NAEMSE/BEMS Educator, will be assisting Meagan as Assistant Instructor. Betz is a Louisiana and Mississippi licensed EMT actively working in EMS and serves as an NREMT examiner as well.
Sandy Merritt has recently retired as the EMS Education Director for the Paramedic program at the Nunez Community College and we are elated to have her join the ACE4EMS team. She will be assisting us with the 2021 AEMT class sponsored by the CLTCC Ferriday campus. Sandy’s plans upon retirement was to move back to her roots and enjoy the simple life of the Delta. Only because of her passion for EMS education, we are lucky to have snagged her for a bit.
ACE4EMS is excited to have these talented EMS practitioners join our team and thank them for their dedication to Emergency Medical Services. Hopefully, soon we will have other EMS educators from your community join us.
As I said in the beginning, many of you have supported us from day one in many areas. Some financial, some allowing your employees to assist us as examiners and probably one of the most invaluable resources, is allowing for a home base for our students to complete their clinical experience.
We are asking you to share the attached information sheetfor the 2021 AEMT class beginning July 24th.
Another bit of exciting news is, of the 57 EMR students graduating tomorrow, 33 of the 57 are continuing to further their EMS Scope of Practice and have enrolled into the EMT classes beginning July 6th at the Central Louisiana Technical Community Colleges in Winnfield and Many.
A special shoutout to Ms. Donna Newchurch for securing a $1,000,000 + USDA grant to place digital/virtual equipment in all 9 regions of the state. This will afford us to reach more students in the future, saving them time and money with less travel.
If you have anyone interested (NO MATTER where they live) in either EMT or AEMT, please have them contact us at 985-974-9688 or email us at evon@ace4ems.org
On another note, let’s all join in and pray for a safe hurricane season and a healthy winter!
July 7, 2021
Asset of the Month – July 2021
June 1st marked the beginning of Hurricane Season! Be sure you have EVERYTHING you need with our July asset of the month, the ProPac Tactical Deployment Bag. This asset contains all items to be self-sufficient for 72 hours after surge deployment.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
July 7, 2021
You can now watch our LRAA Surge Videos on Youtube to prepare for the 2021 Hurricane Season. All crews must watch all 8 videos and pass the Surge Response Quiz prior to deployment.
Videos do not need to be watched in any particular order. You can find the Surge videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcZHY29l-Xe9uEc_1qzxFsNvWk7hHJ9XY
Surge Response Quiz here: https://forms.gle/iedVphcRQUhfcRax6
July 8, 2021
2021 National EMS For Children Survey Results
NEDARC, the administrators of the national EMSC surveys, has released a National Report. This report is a snapshot of how 6,000+ EMS agencies across the U.S. and territories care for and provide education regarding pediatric patients. In Louisiana, EMSC coordinates the distribution of surveys and tracks responses. EMSC Director Amanda Perry shared that Louisiana had a 93% response rate on this survey from transporting and 911 response, non-transporting agencies; when the state level data is analyzed, she will share it with us.
See report here.
July 16, 2021
Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal Update
The Louisiana Department of Health recently published an updated Informational Bulletin regarding the portal (linked here and attached below).
The portal was launched on July 26, 2021.
All current providers whether participating as a fee-for-service or MCO-only provider must validate their information and sign the state’s provider participation agreement through the portal by March 31, 2022. Any existing Medicaid provider that does not complete the enrollment and screening process by March 31, 2022 will have their Medicaid claims denied after that date.
Providers should wait until they receive their invitation before accessing the portal. The invitations will include instructions for how to access the portal as well as training resources for providers and their enrollment staff.
MCO-only providers should receive their invitation to use the portal between August 2, 2021 and September 6, 2021. Providers that only participate in fee-for-service should receive their invitation between September 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
If providers encounter any issues or do not receive their portal invitation within the specified timeframe, they should contact the call center at (833) 641-2140, Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST.
Providers can find additional information and submit questions on the provider enrollment webpage.
See attachment here.
August 5, 2021
March 26, 2021
Asset of the Month - April 2021
The April 2021 asset of the month is the satellite communication system. It includes a TracStar .96 meter auto-acquire antenna, and iDirect 3100 satellite modem, a TracStar controller, and a Linksys ATA to convert analog phone lines to IP. It is to be installed on disaster command trailers.
LRAA has over 100 assets available. View our full Asset Catalog here for more information and for a full description.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
April 7, 2021
New Orleans EMTs Deliver Vaccines to Homebound Residents
Just after 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, emergency medical technician Shakera Brown pulled up to a brown house with green trim in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans.
This time last year, most of the houses she visited were for people with symptoms of COVID-19 who had called 911 because they couldn’t breathe. She went into houses fully gowned with a respirator. She got COVID anyway.
But she has a different job today. In a hospital bed tucked into a backroom as television reruns played in the background, Deidra Howard, 59, watched intently as Brown sunk a needle into her arm.
See full article here.
April 8, 2021
Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal Launching in June 2021
The new Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal will launch in June 2021. The enrollment portal is being designed to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for screening and enrolling Medicaid providers and must be used by all Medicaid providers, including those who do not participate in fee-for-service.
The state’s fiscal intermediary and current provider enrollment vendor, Gainwell Technologies, will send providers an invitation to the mailing address on file when it is time for them to visit the portal and complete the enrollment process. Mailings will begin in June; however, Gainwell will not mail all invitations at the same time. Due to the large volume of enrollments, the Louisiana Department of Health plans to stagger invitations to avoid overwhelming the system. Providers should wait until they receive their invitation to access the portal.
In preparation for the new enrollment and screening process, it is important that providers identify their assigned taxonomy information. The use of assigned taxonomies will be new for fee-for-service providers and different for managed care providers. Although managed care providers currently use a taxonomy, they can use any taxonomy, which means their taxonomy may not match their provider type and specialty. To complete the enrollment process, all providers will be asked to select a taxonomy in the portal. Choices will be limited to taxonomies that relate to their provider type and specialty. Providers can look up their National Provider Identifier (NPI) and assigned taxonomies here. They can also review all taxonomy options here.
Providers can find additional information and submit questions on the provider enrollment webpage and in the Informational Bulletin 21-5: New Louisiana Provider Enrollment Portal.
See LDH Memorandum here.
April 29, 2021
Asset of the Month – August 2021
With the current COVID surge and staging being set up around the state you may have seen our 2 new Western Shelters up around town. These shelters have a 20 person capacity and include a light kit and air conditioning unit. We understand that hospitals and health centers are overloaded and understaffed right now. While we hope you never find yourself in need, rest assured knowing that we have the necessary assets to assist you!
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
August 13, 2021
When duty calls, EMS answers! During the last week of August, citizens of south Louisiana became aware of the impending storm, a possible Category 4 – Hurricane Ida. Residents across southern border of Louisiana began evacuating meanwhile members of the Louisiana Ambulance Allliance began preparing. We beyond grateful for the brave men and women from across the state who took the risk of traveling to south Louisiana when many others were leaving. These professionals are amazing and so deserving of the title “Healthcare Hero.” They not only helped prepare our community for Hurricane Ida but they are still here two weeks later, dedicated to caring for those who need it most. It has truly been an inspiring month. The devastation brought on by Hurricane Ida has brought out the absolute best in so many people. When things are bad (and they are really bad down in South Louisiana) there is no one better to assist than our members! As always, our EMS family is there during this time of need. You can find pictures of Hurricane Ida deployment linked on our Facebook @louisianaambulancealliance.
September 14, 2021
Asset of the Month – September 2021
It is hurricane season, which means we in Louisiana NEED generators! To continue the life saving work of EMS, we can’t rely on just any generator, we need the heavy duty generatos. Our September Asset of the Month is the Cummings Diesel Generator. This generator is installed on L6 1/2 X 12 Longhorn Utility Trailer. Asset includes: Trailer Ball: 2″, Electrical Plug: flat 4 pin, tires: ST 205/75D15, 5 lug rim, 3- 30 Amp plugs, 4- 20 Amp plugs, 79 Gallon diesel tank.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
September 14, 2021
EMS Labor Shortage in Rural America
The pandemic-induced shortage of emergency medical technicians and paramedics nationwide is so dire that ambulance service providers warn of sharp cuts to services and longer waits for 911 calls — even when it’s a matter of life or death.
See article here.
October 13, 2021
Asset of the Month – October 2021
Not our most glamorous asset but definitely a necessary one! October’s Asset of the Month is our 18″ Traffice Safety Cones with Reflective Band.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
October 13, 2021
The Alliance is proud to be able to provide our providers with Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 20 and TOUGHBOOK 33 devices as a part of our Electronic Rural Health Information Technology (E-RHIT) Network!
Panasonic published a case study on us and our friends at St. Tammany Parish Fire District #4. Check it out HERE
November 11, 2021
Asset of the Month – November 2021
The November asset of the month is our 1,000 gallon diesel fuel tank trailer. Great for long deployments. May only be used for diesel fuel!
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
November 22, 2021
Asset of the Month – November 2021
The November asset of the month is our 1,000 gallon diesel fuel tank trailer. Great for long deployments. May only be used for diesel fuel!
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.
November 22, 2021
Savvik Buying Group is launching their 12 Days of Christmas $511 Giveaway! There will be a daily drawing starting December 8th through December 23rd (excluding the weekends) and 12 lucky Savvik members will win $511 to use in the Savvik Online Store. If you are a member of the Alliance you can participate by registering at the link below!
December 7, 2021
Asset of the Month - December 2021
The final featured asset of 2021 is the ProPac Tactical Deployment Bag. This asset contains all items necessary to be self-sufficient for 72 hours after deployment.
LRAA has over 100 assets available. View our full Asset Catalog here for more information and for a full description.
Disclaimer: Each of LRAA’s assets are available to lease to Louisiana Ambulance Alliance Providers upon the completion of a lease check list and lease request form found here. Contact us by phone or by email.