WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A contingent of Japanese paramedics got the opportunity last week to learn about how the EMS system works things here.
The group -- that included four medics, an assistant professor and a surgeon -- spent the day with D.C. Fire and EMS.
Leo Bosner, a retired FEMA official, organized the learning experience for the group.
Bosner explained that a decade ago he was selected as a Mansfield Fellow, an exchange program to enhance the relationship between the United States and Japan.
After spending a year learning Japanese, Bosner went to Tokyo where he worked with people in a preparedness agency similar to FEMA.
Bosner developed relationships with a number of Japanese folks including firefighters and EMS providers. He returns annually, and has been asked to speak at various functions.
When approached by the EMS personnel, he reached out to a former colleague, Dr. Burt Clark, who contacted D.C. Fire and EMS officials.
"They were very gracious to host us the entire day," Clark said of the nation's capital responders.
Assistant Fire Chief Rafael Sa'adah said he enjoyed the opportunity to explain various programs. "It was educational not only for them, but for us as well."
Sa'adah said the group found observing the functions of the emergency operations center very interesting. After receiving information from ambulance crews about the patient, a paramedic captain in the center decides which hospital would be best.
The Japanese responders also accompanied D.C. crews on Street Calls, a program that involves medics and workers from other agencies who check on people in their homes.
They also saw the equipment carried on the ambulances, and joined crews for part of a shift.
Sa'adah added that the experience was enlightening for both the Japanese folks and D.C. personnel.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
