This week's midweek EMS news for EMTs and paramedics from the MedicCast community features three stories about EMS in the news.

The first story looks at the economics of the recession with regard to ERs and hospital overcrowding. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is predicting more ER overcrowding due to lost benefits and other economic impacts from the recession.

Next, a look at one way to alleviate ER overcrowding with diversionary transport to non-urgent care in clinics and primary care centers.  This could be accomplished with a new breed of ambulances built for non-emergency transport rather than 911 services.

Finally, a look at the new man at the helm of FEMA.  Former Florida Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate has been named the new FEMA director by President Obama.  Hopefully this will turn around the 8 year decline of what was once a shining example of efficiency in large scale emergency response.

Thanks to Lexi-Comp (www.lexi.com/mediccast) for their generous sponsorship of the is program.  Try out the brand new Lexi-Tox product built just for use by emergency responders in the field in the face of overdoses and poisonings.  Find out more and register to win an iPod Touch at www.lexi.com/mediccast

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