EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

CDC Quarantine and Isolation Tool
The CDC has developed a web-based quarantine and isolation application with great value to fire departments. The site contains an up-to-date quarantine and isolation calculator that can be used by anyone who tests positive for COVID using a home test kit, lab test, or has COVID-like symptoms. It also addresses firefighters who are exposed to others with COVID. Learn more here.

CME Recert Pointers
A recent DOH course sponsor meeting highlighted some pearls for CME recert departments:

  1. II CME recerts must be sent electronically on the CME portal.
  2. The fire department MUST submit CME for anyone who belongs to the department. If the firefighter submits as an individual, the fire department forfeits NYS DOH funding. Bottom line: if the agency CME coordinator signs the CME recert application, then the department must submit it.
  3. The only time an individual should be submitting their packet on their own is if they do not belong to an agency with an approved CME recert program.
  4. The controversy on what CME can be used for recert has been settled: regardless of when you got your most recent card, all CME you do since that card was issued can be used to renew your current card, no matter how many extensions you received.
  5. DOH now admits they cannot “catch” CME paperwork submitted early. If you have someone whose card was just extended and they are done with their CME, prepare the paperwork and HOLD it until at least nine months before their expiration before submitting. Sending it in earlier will likely cause the provider to lose time on their certification (i.e., the new card will be issued for three years from the month the paperwork is sent in rather than three years from when their current card expires).
  6. The mystery hire in DOH Training and Education has been revealed to be Drew Chesney, whom many of you probably know from Western Turnpike Rescue. You can email him here.
  7. Instructor certs were NOT included in the most recent one-year extension.

New York State Association of Fire Chiefs