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Friday, May 24, 2013 9:21 am
The Tucson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a possible kidnapping victim, 23-year old Marveen Estrada. On May 23, 2013 at about 8:00 p.m., Ms. Estrada was riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle when they pulled into the Quickmart located at 5642 South Alvernon Way. According to a witness, Ms. Estradas’ ex-boyfriend, Ozziel Ramirez blocked their vehicle in with his vehicle, preventing them from leaving the parking lot.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 11:43 pm
Whether it's a bicycle collision or difficulty breathing, the UA community can count on quick help from students trained and certified as EMTs.
The University of Arizona Student Emergency Medical Services, or UASEMS, group has been operational for three semesters and provides assistance in medical emergencies. Its leaders emphasize thorough training and certification.
"We're students at the UA who happen to be EMTs. We're not student EMTs," says Derek Smith, manager of UA Student Emergency Medical Services and a non-degree-seeking graduate student.
When Brandon Murphy arrived at the UA three years ago, he didn't find any options for students to work in EMS on campus. He met up with two other students – who've since graduated – to begin brainstorming a program that students could run. They looked at other universities that have student EMS programs and modeled a club after the best practices they found around the country. It took two years to work through the administration and risk management officials, but they were able to start as a club with ASUA funding and began responding in spring 2012.
UASEMS switched to funding from the student service fee and began expanding hours in fall 2012. As the fall progressed, the group did too, taking on additional days until they were operating from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week.
UASEMS this year was the sole EMS provider at the Tucson Festival of Books, saving the festival $4,000 by not using the Tucson Fire Department. UASEMS also works stand-by at Spring Fling, football games and tailgating and when requested for special events, like the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
"Anything that occurs on campus, we can be there," Murphy says. "Our members do get put into emergencies where they're the only person there, so we make sure they're held to the same certification. We weren't going to settle for a CPR certification or anything else. We make sure everyone has state certification."
UASEMS finished the semester with 32 student members, most of whom are certified Emergency Medical Technicians, with the same Arizona training and certification as a Southwest Basic Life Support Ambulance. Two EMTs staff each 12-hour shift, sometimes along with an additional Certified First Responder, and typically respond to at least two calls for service. On its busiest day, UASEMS responded to 12 calls in a 24-hour period.
Common calls for service deal with fall victims, injuries from pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle collisions and respiratory distress.
"It's part of our emergency mission to provide a quick, rapid response and be the first to provide care until further medical care arrives," Murphy says.
By checking vital signs and reporting to paramedics, the student EMTs can eliminate a step and save valuable time if a patient needs to be taken to a hospital.
"There are calls where we take the blood pressure while waiting for TFD and give the information right to them so they can load and go. They appreciate it," Murphy says.
Many students join out of an interest in a future medical career, some have even gone on to medical school already, while others are considering EMT as a career. Interest is growing; the group has received 80 applications since the fall that they haven't been able to accept. They're hoping to take on as many as 10 in the fall and hope to expand to providing EMS service around the clock, seven days as week.
UASEMS has a golf cart and two bicycles, all equipped with emergency gear. UAPD ride-alongs are a mandatory part of the orientation, which includes 20 hours of vigorous bike training and instruction on bloodborne pathogens and health privacy laws. The members participate in monthly continuing education courses and perform mock drills during the week.
"It's real-life, in-the-field experience they can't get shadowing somebody in a hospital," says Murphy, a junior in communications from New Jersey. "Here, you're set to a standard and you have a responsibility. That is your patient until further medical attention arrives."
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:27 am
1. OKLAHOMA BEGINS CLEARING TWISTER DEBRIS
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 4:00 am
If you’re considering buying a home, some experts think you should get a move on it. Interest rates are at 65-year record lows and national home prices have finally hit bottom and are on the rise. Despite what you may be hearing, loans are available for those with good credit histories, stable income and sufficient savings.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:28 am
In a plea for her life on Tuesday, convicted murderer Jodi Arias said if she is sentenced to life instead of death, she will make a positive impact on the prison system.
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Sunday, May 19, 2013 9:04 am
According to news reports, A retired Philadelphia cop whose heroism earned him a salute from President Obama and a seat next to the First Lady was arrested Saturday on rape charges, authorities said.
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Friday, May 17, 2013 12:11 pm
On May 16, 2013 at 11:14 p.m., officers from the Marana Police Department responded to a residence located in the 8900 block of N. Palm Brook Drive in response to a 911 call. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male and female in the home. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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Thursday, May 16, 2013 5:00 pm
(BPT) - Often, we don’t think about heroism until we see it in action - when disaster strikes and ordinary people exhibit extraordinary courage and compassion to help victims in their time of need. The truth is, however, that the best of human nature is on display every day in the lives of millions of Americans who work in public service jobs across the country. Sometimes all it takes to tap that inner hero is an opportunity – and the education – to serve others.
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 4:00 am
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 4:00 am
On Sunday, five hikers on Linda Vista Trail in Oro Valley were attacked by a swarm of bees.
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:51 am
Northwest Fire District firefighters responded to 2002 W. Gardner Lane at 0100 after 9-1-1 calls were received reporting a mobile home on fire. Deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department on patrol in the area arrived just before fire crews and attempted to make entry into the mobile home to check for the victim, but were driven back by the heavy smoke and fire.
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Friday, May 10, 2013 10:20 am
The Oro Valley Police Department would like to inform the public about a telephone scam involving the impersonation of a police officer.
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013 3:05 pm
It's been more than 24 hours since three grown women and a 6-year-old child were rescued from a home in Cleveland where they were being held hostage.
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013 2:56 pm
It took just over 15 hours for a 12-member jury to find accused boyfriend killer, Jodi Arias, guilty of first-degree murder.
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013 4:00 am
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Thursday, May 2, 2013 2:30 pm
Q: I received a call today from a male who identified himself as Andrew Allison with Microsoft Security. He told me that “my NT wires” were installed incorrectly and were causing errors across the internet and that he could talk me through the steps needed to correct the problem. Trying to find a way to report this to Microsoft... — Dennis
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Wednesday, April 24, 2013 4:00 am
If it looks fishy, it probably is.
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Wednesday, April 24, 2013 4:00 am
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Wednesday, April 24, 2013 4:00 am
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013 9:51 am
On March 18, 2013, at approximately 10:00 p.m., deputies with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Foothills District responded to the Bank of America near Thornydale Road and Linda Vista Boulevard. The initial report indicated that a female victim had been robbed at knifepoint.
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Sunday, April 21, 2013 10:00 pm
(BPT) - Bullying has been present in schools since society started educating children in groups. In the old days, the bully’s weapons of intimidation might have been simply stealing another child’s lunch money, or shoving a victim down on the playground. Modern bullying is a high-tech type of antagonism – one that can reach a dangerous level.
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Friday, April 19, 2013 1:37 pm
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Thursday, April 18, 2013 4:27 pm
On April 14, at approximately 1:42 a.m., deputies with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Foothills District responded to the Circle K at 5365 North La Cholla Boulevard reference a theft report.
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Thursday, April 18, 2013 12:29 pm
After U.S. Senators voted against a bill that would have increased background check requirements, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wrote the following opinion piece for the New York Times on April 17.
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Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:51 am
This Saturday morning All About Running and Walking is hosting a run from the store to remember and honor those who were injured or lost their lives this week in the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.
