22nd Annual

SPRING FLING
EMS Conference

April 27-29, 2023

Edgewood Resort & Conference Center
Alexandria Bay, New York

HOSTED BY:

North Country Regional EMS Council

North Country REMAC

North Country EMS Program Agency at FDRHPO

General Information

Edgewood Resort & Conference Center

22467 Edgewood Road
Alexandria Bay, New York 13607
1-888-EDGEWOOD or 315.482.9923
theedgewoodresort.com

Conference rates available for overnight

accommodations ($139 per night, not including
gratuities/maid service)

New in 2023! Vendor Bingo

• All conference attendees enjoy a FREE Vendors will be set up througout the day on
breakfast buffet each day of the event. Friday and Saturday. Be sure to bring your
bingo card when you’re visiting vendors
• The Amazing Race hands-on activity during breaks and lunch. You’ll be entered
during Thursday evening. Work with for a chance to win a free registration to the
a partner and complete skills with 2024 Spring Fling!
obstacles to overcome.
Vendors include (list subject to change):
• Keynote Speaker - Chief Lillian
Bonsignore, Paramedic, CIC, is a retired,
• Clarkson University EMS • LifeNet of New York
31-year veteran of the Fire Department of Education Program • MercyFlight Central
New York who served as the FDNY Chief • Colonial Voluntary Benefits • North Country Initiative
• Commercial Acceptance • North Eastern Rescue
of EMS Operations from 2019-2022 during Company Vehicles
the COVID Pandemic. • Cornerstone Adminisystems • Priority Wellness Campaign,
• E5 Support Services Inc.
• Emergency Management • Sellers Dorsey
• Saturday Management Track tailored to •
Resources, LLC
Fort Drum Regional Health
•
•
Stryker
VCI Emergency Vehicle
all volunteer agencies or agencies with Planning Organization Specialists
paid staff. Half-day sessions that you can • GBC Fundraising

attend or complete the day by jumping

into one of the learning tracks.
 Directions & Accommodations

Click here to
register for Spring Fling 2023!
Early Bird Regular
REGISTRATION & Registration
(Ends April 1st)
Registration
(After April 1st)
PAYMENT Thursday, April 27
INFORMATION Taco Bar/Amazing Race $30 $30

Taco Bar (GUEST) $25 $25

All registrations must be completed
online. The link (such as the one above) Friday, April 28
can be found in red throughout this
brochure. Certified Instructor Update Free Free

CISM Core or CIU $30 $35

Credit card payments accepted. If
paying by check/money order, make Morning BLS Core $45 $50
payable to: NCEMS REMSCO
Morning ALS Core $45 $50
Agencies paying for multiple attendees Afternoon BLS Core $45 $50
may submit one check/money order;
however, each individual registration Afternoon ALS Core $45 $50
must be completed separately and
online Friday Lunch (GUEST) $20 $25

Italian Buffet Dinner Free Free

Mail payment to:
FDRHPO NCEMS Program Agency Italian Buffet Dinner (GUEST) $35 $35
120 Washington Street, Suite 230
Watertown, NY 13601 Saturday, April 29
AM Management Track (Volunteer Agencies) $45 $50
Conference hosts reserve the right to
substitute a lecture or presenter due to PM Management Track (Paid Staff Agencies) $45 $50
unforeseen circumstances.
BLS Track (Morning Only) $45 $50
Requests for refund must be sent in ALS Track (Morning Only) $45 $50
writing no later than May 4, 2023 to:
FDRHPO NCEMS Program Agency BLS Track (Afternoon Only) $45 $50
ATTN: Spring Fling Refund
ALS Track (Afternoon Only) $45 $50
120 Washington Street, Suite 230
Watertown, NY 13601 Saturday Lunch (GUEST) $20 $25

PLEASE NOTE: By registering for Spring Fling 2023, you and your guest(s) agree to be photographed and videotaped during
the conference and waive rights associated with said media. You also agree to abide by any CDC, local health department, or
North Country Spring Fling rules associated with the COVID-19 virus or other public health concern. Spring Fling attendees,
exhibitors, or guests are attending at their own risk and will not hold North Country Regional EMS Council or any other entity
participating in the production of Spring Fling responsible for their illness or injury acquired or sustained at the event.
Thursday, April 28
Amazing Race/Taco Bar

Taco Bar
Opens at 6 pm
Grab some dinner and participate
in the Amazing Race or take the
opportunity to complete your North
Country Regional Skills.

The Amazing RacE

6:30-8:30 pm
During this hands-on activity, you and your
partner work to learn and complete skills with
obstacles to overcome.

Take the challenge! You and your partner can

win a free registration to next year’s Spring
Fling conference. (Don’t have a partner? We’ll
team you up with another attendee.)

Any level EMT can join the race!

North Country Regional Skills

Sign up to complete your North Country regional

skills while you are here. No need to register.
Just show up and pick an available time!
 Friday, April 29
Core Content

BLS Core Content ALS Core Content

Preparatory 1 Airway 1
Pharm/Med Admin 1 Endocrine 1
Toxicology 1 Cardiology 2
Neurology 1 Shock & Resuscitation 1
Immunology .5 Special Needs 1
Endocrine .5

0900-1200 Certified Instructor Update

New York State CICs now need three (3) hours of NYS CIU and five (5) hours of “other”
approved instructor education for renewal of their CIC. This session will fulfill the NYS
three-hour requirement for both CLI and CIC

1300-1700 Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Marley Barduhn, Critical Director of AMR Critical Incident Stress Management Program will
be hosting a CISM “refresher” program. In order to attend you must have taken a CISM class
in the past. This interactive training will allow a question and answer period to help newly
training CISM members interact with seasoned providers. The North Country REMSCO NNY
CISM team active roster members may attend free of charge (contact the Program Agency
to register).
Friday, April 28
Dinner & Awards

Please join us immediately following today’s

sessions for:
Many thanks to the sponsor
of this evening’s events:
• Cocktail Hour (Two drink coupons provided)
• Italian Buffet Dinner
• Keynote Speaker
• Regional EMS Awards
• Entertainment

Our Keynote Speaker

Chief Lillian Bonsignore, Paramedic, CIC, is a retired, 31-year veteran
of the Fire Department of New York who served as the FDNY Chief of
EMS Operations from 2019-2022 during the COVID Pandemic. She was
the highest-ranking officer in the EMS command, the highest-ranking
uniformed female in FDNY, and the first female to achieve a four-star
rank in the history of FDNY. Chief Bonsignore was responsible for the
operational oversight and leadership of more than 4,500 EMS providers
in New York City, where EMS responds to 1.5 million calls per year. She
also has an extensive history in EMS training. She previously served as
the FDNY Chief of the EMS Academy where she was responsible for the
EMS Probationary School, EMS Officer training, and managed the EMS
certification of more than 13,000 members of the FDNY. Chief Bonsignore
retired in January 2023.
The Richard Beebe Education Award
2023 Regional EMS Awards Richard Beebe
• ALS Provider of the Year June 25, 1957
• BLS Provider of the Year -
June 5, 2016
• EMS Agency of the Year
• EMS Communication Specialist of the Year
• EMS Educator of Excellence
This award is given in honor of the
• Excellence in Quality & Safety late Richard Beebe, a Guilderland,
NY paramedic and nationally known
• Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award emergency medicine instructor.
• Registered Nurse of Excellence Past recipients include: Ann Smith,
• Youth Provider of the Year Jefferson County Paramedic Program,
Paul Barter, Donald Thompson
 Saturday, April 29
Management Track

Did you know that you can lose your not-for-profit status by not submitting
the required paperwork promptly?

Did you know that you can be fined by PESH, OSHA, IRS, and many other
acronyms for failure to comply?

During these management sessions, we will review agency requirements

at both the State and Federal levels. You will be provided with a checklist of
items needed to complete and submit in a timely manner.

0800-1200: Volunteer Agencies Only

1300-1500: Combination Paid/Volunteer

Agencies OR All Paid Agencies

YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Debbie Singleton is a New Mark Deavers is
York State Paramedic, currently the Director
CIC, and Regional Faculty of Emergency Medical
member for Jefferson Services for St.
County. She has over 40 Lawrence Health. Prior
years of experience in to that, he was the
EMS and has been in a Executive Director of
management role at South Gouverneur Rescue for
Jefferson Rescue Squad for 38 years, where nine years. Mark has 15 years of experience
she is currently the Executive Director. as a New York State Certified EMS educator in
She is the recipient of the New York State a rural setting and 19 years of experience as
Department of Health Commissioner of a paramedic. He is also a certified instructor
Health Aware of Excellence Award (2015). She in many required classes for recertification,
has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business including Advanced Cardiac Life Support,
Management and was a Logistics Manager for Pediatric Advanced Life Support, CPR, and
30 years with a medical device manufacturer. PHTLS. He has instructed many courses
She is a Certified Ambulance Compliance and CME classes, including speaking at
Officer, Certified Privacy Officer, and Certified conferences. He has developed curriculum
Ambulance Documentation Specialist. material and is New York State Regional
Faculty for Education.
Saturday, April 29
BLS Track

0715-0830 Registration

0830-0845 Welcome & Opening Remarks

Jonathan Cole, Director, FDRHPO North Country EMS Agency &
Debbie Singleton, Chair, North Country Regional EMS Council

0845-0945 Pearls & Pitalls of Rural Trauma Care: A Case Review Series for the BLS Provider
(Trauma, Additional)
Ryan Coates, DO, St. Lawrence Health System
Who cares if the hospital is a trauma center? We’ll discuss the different levels of trauma designation
and what each can and cannot offer your patient. We’ll discuss why it is important to consider
hospital capability from the scene. So you’ve decided to call a trauma center. What hospital staff
is listening for in radio communication to best prepare for the patient. Now you’re on scene with a
trauma. Case based scenarios to discuss pearls and pitfalls for BLS airway management, bleeding
control, spinal immobilization, time management on scene, patient temperature regulation.

0945-1000 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1000-1100 Patient Assessment: How Experienced Providers Do It So Well & Why New Providers
Struggle (Additional)
John Morrissey, NREMTP, NYS CIC, Broome County EMS Office of Emergency
Management & Menter Ambulance
Experienced EMTs get to the correct assessment and treatment solutions quickly and accurately.
They have done so many assessments over such a long period of time that they have come to
understand what is relevant and irrelevant to get to a correct assessment. Experienced providers
have figured out how to look at key patient signs and symptoms that help them hone in on critical
problems that the patient is experiencing. These skills allow them to presumptuously diagnose
a patient and develop an effective treatment plan. They also have learned how their attitude and
mindset can affect their assessment skills. During this session, we explore ways for any EMS
provider to improve the quality and speed of their assessments. (LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Increase accuracy and speed of patient assessment skills.)

1100-1115 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1115-1215 Behind the Mechanism of Injury

Jerome Morrison, RN, Trauma Outreach & Education Coordinator, Upstate University
Hospital
The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) 2011 Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients has
been replaced with a new guide from the American College of Surgeons, titled “National Guildelines
for the Field Triage of Injured Patients.” The new document is expected to replace the EMS Trauma
Patient Destination Protocol and serves as a guide to hospitals regarding trauma patients who
should be transferred to a trauma center. The presentation will discuss the correlation between
the mechanism of injury and underlying potential injuries. (LEARNING OBJECTIVES: identify
trauma patients who should be transported from the field to a trauma center; identify trauma
patients who should be transferred from non-trauma center hosptals; correlate mechanism of
injury to underlying potential injuries.)
 Saturday, April 29
BLS Track

1215-1300 Buffet Luncheon & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1300-1400 The Choking Patient: A Comprehensive Look at the Management of Foreign Body
Obstruction (Airway, Additional)
Dan Batsie, MPA, NRP, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Public Safety
Aid for the choking patient is taught in our most basic first aid classes, and for years, we have
assumed that a very simple understanding will prepare us to manage these dynamic and life-
threatening moments. However, in the US, more than 3,000 people die each year from foreign body
airway obstruction. And while it is true that simple interventions are often effective in managing
an obstructed airway, EMS practitioners must possess a deeper understanding. This session will
take a throrough look at the research associated with foreign body airway obstruction. Fact will be
separated from fiction. We will discuss the pathophysiology of obstruction and provide evidence-
based guidance on how best to manage these events. Most importantly, we will offer providers
an expanded toolbox beyond basic abdominal thrusts and prepare them to think critically through
plans B, C, and D. (LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define choking and differentiate the degrees
of airway obstruction; describe the epidemiology of foreign body aiway obstruction; describe
the pathophysiology of airway obstruction, including a review of the most common foreign body
causes; discuss the evidence-based assessment findings that would differentiate severe and non-
severe choking; describe the physiology of abdominal thrust-type interventions and discuss the
science behind each; discuss the role of ALS interventions in the choking patient; describe a team-
based, best-practice approach to the management of a choking patient; list and describe three
interventions beyond abdominal thrusts to deploy in the event of failed initial strategies.)

1400-1415 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1415-1515 The ABCs of Pediatric Care (Pediatrics, Additional)

Josh LaDuke
A summary of care for pediatric patients with focus on basic assessment and interventions,
bleeding control, and respiratory and airway management (LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Organize
assessments to quickly manage and assess life threats; classify common pediatric injuries and
illnesses commonly seen in pre-hospital medicine; defend care decisions of specific care plans.)

1515-1530 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1530-1630 Learning the Language of Our Biggest Fans: Autism Awareness for EMS (Special
Needs, Additional)
Matthew Yelton, FP-C, NRP, CCEMT-P, CIC, Flight Paramedic, Mercy Flight Central
An overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to help EMS providers understand the special
needs of their patients with autism and how to communicate and treat successfully. This
presentation will change your perception of autism patients and provide a list of available resources
and safety products to enhance the care you give. (LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand
autism; review statistics; change perception of ASD; identify de-escalation/communication/
intervention best practices; awareness of resources and safety products available.)
Saturday, April 29
ALS Track

0715-0815 Registration

0815-0830 Welcome & Opening Remarks

Jonathan Cole, Director, FDRHPO North Country EMS Agency &
Debbie Singleton, Chair, North Country Regional EMS Council

0830-0930 Learning the Language of Our Biggest Fans: Autism Awareness for EMS (Special
Needs, Additional)
Matthew Yelton, FP-C, NRP, CCEMT-P, CIC, Flight Paramedic, Mercy Flight Central
An overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to help EMS providers understand the special
needs of their patients with autism and how to communicate and treat successfully. This
presentation will change your perception of autism patients and provide a list of available resources
and safety products to enhance the care you give. (LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand
autism; review statistics; change perception of ASD; identify de-escalation/communication/
intervention best practices; awareness of resources and safety products available.)

0930-0945 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

0945-1045 etCO2: The Mystery Vital Sign (Airway, Additional)

Bryan Goyette, EMT-P, NRP, FP-C, American Medical Response of Western New York
Did you ever wonder what to do with end-tidal readings? As far as some know, it is just the
required number for intubated patients. This presentation will explain the process in which end-
tidal CO2 readings are obtained, how to interpret them, and how to alter your treatment modalities
based on findings. (LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify when to use etCO2 monitory; recognize
etCOT monitoring waveforms; understand treatment modalities for abnormal findings; explain
the correlation between etCO2, PaCO2, and other blood gas findings on ABG/VBG, discuss
pathophysiological pathways that affect etCO2.)

1045-1100 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1100-1200 Understanding COPD: A Deep Dive into the Pathophysiology of Respiratory Distress
(Respiratory, Additional)
Dan Batsie, MPA, NRP, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Public Safety
COPD is a diagnosis shared by roughly five percent of the US population. It accounts for up to 25%
of hospital visits and ranks as the fourth leading cause of death. However, the variety of obstructive
breathing disorders that make up the diagnosis of COPD are often poorly understood. This session
will provide an expansive look at what is really going on when a patient notes they have COPD.
We will offer particular focus on the pathophysiology of emphysema and chronic bronchitis and
discuss how these chronic conditions exacerbate to the point of needing EMS care. Participants
will leave with a better understanding of evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies.
(LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Discuss the epidemiology of COPD; differentiate chronic bronchitis
and emphysema; discuss the pathophysiology of obstructive respiratory problems, including
emphysema and bronchitis; describe the pathophysiology of COPD exacerbation; differentiate
three stages of respiratory compromise in the exacerbated COPD patient; describe best practice
assessment of the COPD patient; list and discuss five evidence-based strategies used to manage
exacerbated COPD patients.)
 Saturday, April 29
ALS Track

1200-1245 Buffet Luncheon & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1245-1345 Patient Assessment: How Experienced Providers Do It So Well & Why New Providers
Struggle (Additional)
John Morrissey, NREMTP, NYS CIC, Broome County EMS Office of Emergency
Management & Menter Ambulance
Experienced EMTs get to the correct assessment and treatment solutions quickly and accurately.
They have done so many assessments over such a long period of time that they have come to
understand what is relevant and irrelevant to get to a correct assessment. Experienced providers
have figured out how to look at key patient signs and symptoms that help them hone in on critical
problems that the patient is experiencing. These skills allow them to presumptuously diagnose
a patient and develop an effective treatment plan. They also have learned how their attitude and
mindset can affect their assessment skills. During this session, we explore ways for any EMS
provider to improve the quality and speed of their assessments. (LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Increase accuracy and speed of patient assessment skills.)

1345-1400 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1400-1500 OB Hoofbeats (OB, Additional)

Shane O’Donnell, Flight Paramedic, Education Coordinator
We often hear the mantra “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses” to remind us to think of a
common diagnosis and illness first. However, when it comes to the gravid patient, uncommon
illness can be the most life-threatening. Join us as we follow the story of a dying pregnant patient
and the interventions she needs to live. (LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Review the pathophysiology
and treatment of eclampsia, including gestational hypertention, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia;
discuss amniotic fluid embolism, reviewing the disease process and treatment; provide an overview
of management for maternal cardiac arrest.)

1500-1515 Break & Exhibits (Don’t Forget Your Vendor Bingo Card)

1515-1615 Behind the Mechanism of Injury (Trauma Additional)

Jerome Morrison, RN, Trauma Outreach & Education Coordinator, Upstate University
Hospital
The Center’s for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) 2011 Guidelines for Field Traiage of Injured Patients
has been replaced with a new guide from the American College of Surgeons, titled “National
Guildelines for the Field Triage of Injured Patients.” The new document is expected to repolace
the EMS Trauma Patient Destination Portocol and serves as a guide to hospitals regarding trauma
patients who should be transferred to a trauma center. The presentation will discuss the correlation
between the mechanism of injury and underlying potential injuries. (LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
identify trauma patients who should be transported from the field to a trauma center; identify
trauma patients who should be transferred from non-trauma center hosptals; correlate
mechanism of injury to underlying potential injuries.)
About Our Saturday Speakers

Dan Batsie, MPA, NRP

Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Public Safety
Dan has been a paramedic in New York, Maine, and now Vermont for more than
30 years. Over his career, Dan has worked hard to elevate the profession of
prehospital medicine and demonstrated a particular passion for high-quality EMS
education. Dan has directed two accredited paramedic programs, authored two
EMS textbooks, and lectured both nationally and internationally on current EMS
topics. In addition to his work at the state level, Dan is active in numerous national
EMS projects and committees.

Ryan Coates, DO
St. Lawrence Health System
After spending two years as an EMT-B and trauma technician in Tucson, Ryan
earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Mediwestern University in 2006. He
then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Lehigh Valley Hospital in
2010. Time working for the Indian Health Services in the Navajo Nation inspired a
particular interest in improving rural emergency care. Currently, Dr. Coates works
as an Emergency Physician and is the EMS Medical Director for St. Lawrence
Health System.

Bryan Goyette, EMT-P, NRP, FP-C

American Medical Response of Western New York
Bryan has ten years of Emergency Medical Services experience. Prior to his
current position, he was with Mercy Flight of Western New York as a critical care
paramedic and clinical education coordinator. Previously, he was the department
training officer for the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Emergency Medical Services.
Bryan is currently the EMS Captain for East Seneca Fire Company in West
Seneca, NY. He is currently an RN/BSN student at Excelsior University.

Joshua LaDuke, MS, AEMT-P

SUNY Upstate Medical University and Onondaga Community College
Josh is a 15-year EMS professional who has served the greater Onondaga County
area. As an educator for SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY OCC, he
has been teaching pre-hospital medicine for the past ten years in a variety of roles
and disciplines. He is passionate about patient care, specifically for pediatrics.
When not in the classroom, he can be found researching technology or spending
time with his family in their Marcellus, New York home.
 Jerome Morrison, RN
Trauma Outreach and Education Coordinator
Upstate University Hospital Level-1 Trauma Center
Jerry has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, with the majority of his
time spent working in the Emergency Department both as clinical staff and as a
department director. He is a retired firefighter and paramedic. Jerry was a founder
of the Southern Tier Paramedic Program and taught as adjunct faculty in the
State University of New York (SUNY) system. He received an associate degree in
nursing in 1984 from Tompkins Cortland Community College. He is currently an
ATCN Course Director, ATLS Course Coordinator, ATOM Course Coordinator and
TNCC Instructor. He is the president of the NYS Division of the American Trauma
Society, a member of the Society of Trauma Nurses and serves on the Education
Committee of the Trauma Center Association of America.

John Morrissey, NREMTP, NYS CIC

Broome County EMS Office of Emergency Management & Menter
PHOTO Ambulance
John has a bachelor’s degree in health service administration and has been a
NOT
NREMT-P for the past 40 years. He had a 34-year career with the New York State
AVAILABLE Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services Bureau, shaping EMS as
we know it in New York today. John spent 30 years with the North Area Volunteer
Ambulance Corp as a ground paramedic and for 25 years as a flight paramedic
with New State Police Aviation. He is currently a paramedic working for Broome
County Office of Emergency and Menter Ambulance. He is also a ski patroller,
member of national ski patrol for the past 45 years, and is an outdoor emergency
care instructor trainer.

Shane O’Donnell, NRP, FP-C, C-NTP

Flight Paramedic & Education Coordinator
Shane is a flight paramedic and instructor from upstate New York. He holds an
associate degree in Paramedicine, as well as certification as a flight paramedic,
national registry paramedic, and Neonatal Pedatric Transport. He has experience
in urban, suburban, and rural 911/critical care. Additionally, he is an educator
for FORMfrat, providing education for paramedics and nurses across the globe.
Outside of work, he can be found with his wife, three kids, and energetic dog.

Matthew Yelton, FP-C, NRP, CCEMT-P, CIC

Flight Paramedic
Mercy Flight Central
Matthew has more than ten years of experience in EMS as a paramedic, seven
of which were as a flight paramedic for Mercy Flight Central. During his spare
time, he volunteers as the EMS Captain for Constableville Ambulance, Inc. and
Constableville Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.
Thank you to these sponsors who make
Spring Fling possible!

Gold Sponsors
 Thank you to these sponsors who make
Spring Fling possible!

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors
Saturday, May 13, 2023
2023 Emergency Responder Leadership Academy
Queensbury, New York

“EMS Leadership Development: Cultural Changes

for an Ever-Changing Field”

Stay tuned for more information!