By Nick Gatlin EMSCI #36
Williamson Medical Center (Franklin, TN)
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Support Still Growing for Tennessee
Bike Medic Team
In a little over two years, Williamson Medical Center EMS in Franklin, Tennessee,
has built a bike medic program that has become far more than the typical
"special events" team it was originally designed to be. With a response area
of 475 square miles and a population of about 130,000 people, there's more
than enough to keep the team busy. In 2000, the team worked more than 60
events, and this year the schedule will probably be bigger.
The team initially began with two medics, an idea, and funding from the Volunteer
Auxiliary at Williamson Medical Center, the community hospital. The volunteers
run the hospital's gift shop and several fund-raising events throughout the
year, usually to buy equipment for patients' family members to use while
their loved ones are hospitalized. The bike medic team was the first project
outside the hospital.
On the team's first practice ride, three bike medics happened upon an unreported
house fire. After confining the blaze to one room and rescuing a bedridden
elderly woman, they summoned the Franklin Fire Department, who extinguished
the fire. This first incident was typical of the success the team would enjoy
over the next several months, but keeping the team on track is an ongoing
process.
"If I could offer three pieces of advice to new bike teams, they would be:
join IPMBA, pick a distinctive uniform and don't overlook the small events,"
says Nick Gatlin, the team's director. "The most valuable thing we've done
is get involved with IPMBA. Most of our direction and information was gained
by our association with people we met through IPMBA."
The team's yellow and black combination of uniform colors is different than
that of any other services in the area. This gives the team an immediate
identity and high visibility.
As for the acceptance of the team by the public, Gatlin thinks small events
are the key. Small events comprise about 25 percent of the team's activities.
"We don't just ride the big festivals. We go to Little League baseball games,
soccer tournaments, small community functions and the local parks; places
we're not expected. In these small settings, we're not just part of the scenery.
We're often the center of attention. That's the root of our public support,
and public support is the name of the game."
Being a hospital-based service gives the team an advantage. As a part of
the hospital's advertising campaign, the team has enjoyed a professionally
produced promotional video, as well as television time secured by the hospital.
Several brochures featuring the bike team have also been produced. Promotional
items for children are supplied by the hospital's Community Relations Department.
Local businesses frequently donate items for giveaways as well.
Local newspapers, television and radio have also brought attention to the
team, with several articles and news spots featuring the program. "We try
to keep friends in the news media to help us promote the team's activities.
We don't pester them, but we let them know that their contributions to the
team's success are appreciated."
Of the eleven current active members, nine are IPMBA EMSC certified, and
several prospective members are waiting for the next class this spring. All
members are required to attend the IPMBA EMSC certification course within
one year of joining the team. All members are also expected to maintain current
IPMBA membership. The only two IPMBA EMSC instructors in the state of Tennessee
are on the Williamson County team, and another member is planning to attend
the IPMBA Instructor Course at the Cincinnati conference.
Editor's Note: the policies of the Williamson Medical Center EMS Bike
Medic Program are included in the IPMBA EMS Bike Team Start-Up Information
Packet. To request a copy, please call 410-685-2220 or email
ipmba@aol.com. |
