ON THE JOB — SBUH flight crew members pause for a quick portrait. Kneeling are Joel Vetter, Colby Rowe and Walter Kleiber. Standing are Matt Sproul, Edie Ambra, Michael Scavo, Ernie Gaiser, Kristie Wood, Denise Dengel and Sebastian Galofaro. — Photo by John Vahey
BY SHERRY HALBROOK
Thirteen paramedics, including 11 PEF members, at Stony Brook University Hospital on Long Island recently achieved the status of Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C), an elite distinction held by just 507 individuals worldwide.
The certification is for paramedics providing prehospital and intensive care to ill or injured patients during transport by air or ground ambulance and is conferred by the International Association of Flight Paramedics (until recently the National Flight Paramedics Association).
To earn this certification, paramedics must pass an exam demonstrating knowledge in aircraft fundamentals, safety and survival; flight physiology; advanced airway and ventilator management including arterial blood gas and blood chemistry value interpretation; care of patients with neurologic, respiratory, cardiac, obstetric, trauma and burn problems; care of pediatric and neonatal patients; and care of patients exposed to the environment and toxic substances.
PEF member Dan Johnson said he and other paramedics at Stony Brook decided to try for the certification after it was suggested by their supervisor, Eric Niegelberg.
“It wasn’t required, but we wanted to do it,” Johnson said. “They offered us two review classes, and we all did a lot of studying on our own before we took the exam. It was probably one of the most difficult exams I’ve taken in my professional career.”
In addition to Johnson and Niegelberg, the other SBUH paramedics receiving this certification are:
Stacey Chomiuk, Stephen Eder, Ernie Gaiser, Sebastian Galofaro, Matthew Giacopelli, Kevin Pesce, Colby Rowe, Michael Scavo, Matthew Sproul, Randi Troscher and Kristie Wood.
They are among 40 paramedics, 12 registered nurses and 14 emergency medical technicians working at SBUH Emergency Medical Services.
The team provides emergency medical scene response and transfers critical-care patients between facilities. Their air response is provided in cooperation with the Suffolk County Police Department aviation section.
The
Communicator June 2005
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