EMS public education reboot: Call it MIH

Public education reboot: call it MIH

By Alan Perry
June, 24, 2018

The best illness or accident that ever happened is the one that was prevented right? Sure we are there to cover the ones that come to fruition; we manage them with skill and care, making the best of a bad situation. Can we make a larger impact by increasing our prevention efforts for illness and injuries? There are plenty of free (or nearly free) resources out there, from the Federal Government to private insurance companies, covering everything from substance abuse to firearm and pool safety. As an example of how fruitful this can be, let’s look at the progress the fire service has wrought on the incidence and severity of fire events over the past 100 years; Fire events were once one of the largest single threats to any population, causing extensive damage and major loss of life. The fire service developed and committed resources to the idea of fire prevention. Fire marshals, inspectors, fire codes, and life safety programs all have a dramatic effect on the effects of fire events, reducing both incidence and severity. 

Why can’t we do the same thing on the EMS side of the house? Some departments do, but have we committed a reasonable level of resources to truly have an impact on the incidence and severity of illness and injury? Do you have EMS public educators? Do you have a MIH program that performs home visits? Do you offer home and business inspections that address common injury and illness patterns that are performed by your fire and EMS personnel? Do you have EMS open houses and do EMS school demos? Do you have a public message in print, media, and an internet presence that coveys and reinforces illness and injury prevention? The potential savings in lives, improved quality of life, and the expense of treating chronic illness and traumatic injuries is enormous! The cost savings to agency operations and the tax burden to the community are an added benefit. Commit to marketing illness and injury prevention to your community, it will enhance the resilience of your community and your public image.

Be Safe,

Alan Perry