The Rhode Island General Assembly approved legislation Tuesday to require that the state’s 911 Emergency Center operators provide CPR instructions and other emergency medical directions to callers in the critical minutes prior to the arrival of first responders. The legislation (H-5629 and S-0385aa) would require that all 911 call takers be certified in emergency medical […]
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House passes bill to require Rhode Island’s 911 call takers provide proper CPR instructions
The Rhode Island House of Representative on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to mandate that the state’s 911 Emergency Center operators provide CPR instructions and other emergency medical directions to callers in the critical minutes prior to the arrival of first responders. The bill (H-5629) introduced by Rep. Mia A. Ackerman (D-Cumberland), the deputy majority […]
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RI 911 Center delays launch of new emergency medical dispatch system
It’s taken two years and $1.2 million to get Rhode Island’s 911 system ready to provide CPR and other medical instructions to callers. The system should be working in June. Rhode Island is the last state in New England to provide this service.
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Gov. Raimondo Appoints New 911 Director
Gov. Gina Raimondo has appointed J. David Smith as the new associate director of Rhode Island’s Emergency 911 center following the abrupt removal of his predecessor in March.
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TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For July 19
You think it’s hot out there? Give it a few months and we’ll be griping about the cold. Regardless, thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. (A program note: TGIF is taking a summer break […]
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Going Quiet: More States Are Hiding 911 Recordings From Families, Lawyers and the General Public
Troy Phillips has tried everything to piece together his brother’s final moments and figure out if he received CPR. Rhode Island’s secretive 911 laws have gotten in the way.
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One Cardiac Arrest. Four 911 Callers. And a Tragic Outcome.
Rhode Island’s 911 operators are unprepared to handle cardiac arrest calls, and Rena Fleury, 45, lost her life.
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TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For March 22
There are rumors of spring hereabouts, and no doubt about the plethora of news. Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) Angélica Infante-Green was greeted like a rock star when she […]
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TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For March 15
The snow is melting, spring (and baseball!) are coming, and the politics beat always runs hot. So thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) With the college admissions scandal dominating national […]
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RI 911 Acting Director Removed From Post
The acting director of Rhode Island’s 911 emergency system has been removed from his post after State Police learned he’d been training 911 call takers in CPR without proper certification.