Pilot program connects rural Nebraska EMS ambulances with telemedicine technology

For rural emergency crews, having an extra set of eyes and ears can make all the difference when it comes to treating a patient. When the nearest hospital is miles away, every minute counts. With that in mind, a new program spearheaded by Nebraska DHHS is equipping small-town ambulances with life saving telemedicine technology. The $1.3 million initiative is funded by a Centers for Disease Control Health Disparities grant. Friend Rescue is one of 20 rural EMS crews benefitting from the program. With a coverage area of roughly 100 square miles and just 11 volunteers, rescue captain Kelly Paulsen said telemedicine technology not only helps out her crew, but the patients they care for. “Sometimes we only have one EMT in the back of the ambulance, that one EMT working on that patient,” Paulsen said.
KOLN-TV CBS 10/KGIN-TV CBS 11 Lincoln-Grand Island

Lancaster County: Two adults, five children rescued from sinking boat on Branched Oak Lake

Nebraska Game and Parks rescued two adults and five children from a sinking boat on Branched Oak Lake on Sunday. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office along with Malcolm Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Raymond Volunteer Fire & Rescue were called out to Branched Oak Lake at 8:30 p.m. for a boat that was taking on water. The sheriff’s office said the occupants were concerned due to the boat losing power and taking on water. Nebraska Game and Parks were also on scene and rescued all seven people on board, LSO said. The boat was then towed out of the water. “It’s boating season. The great thing is they had the required life jackets and everything so they were doing everything correct except the boat was taking on water,” LSO Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.
KOLN-TV CBS 10/KGIN-TV CBS 11 Lincoln-Grand Island

House fire kills one person in rural Cass County

One person is dead after a house fire in rural Cass County early Saturday morning. Ashland Fire and Rescue responded to the report of a house fire near Horseshoe Lake on Fedde Lane. Upon arrival, emergency units encountered a fully engulfed structure fire. Murdock Fire was called for additional water and manpower support. According to the Ashland Volunteer Fire Department, first responders discovered a body within the house. The identity of the deceased individual has not yet been confirmed. This incident is under investigation. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is actively working to identify the deceased, while the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the scene and determining the cause of the fire. An autopsy is currently pending.
KOLN-TV CBS 10/KGIN-TV CBS 11 Lincoln-Grand Island

Three fires contained in north-central Nebraska

Three fires in north-central Nebraska that Region 26 Emergency Management says were sparked by dry lighting are now contained. As News Channel Nebraska first reported on Monday night, around 25 fire departments responded to the fires. The Sand Reed fire was the first fire reported, and it’s located in Cherry County northwest of Elsmere. The Windmill fire is approximately eight miles south of Thedford in Thomas County, and the Dent fire is approximately three miles northeast of Seneca in Thomas County. Region 26 Emergency Management says that no structures were reported damaged, although there are likely other losses, including fence posts.
News Channel Nebraska