Jill-

  I was walking around with a false sense of security much like yourself and under the impression that if I had the meds with me they would be given by any emergency personnel-I too found out that was not the case and any EMT caring for my children would have to transport them to the hospital at which point they would be given an injection ONLY after my children’s docs had been consulted or the ER doc on duty made the decision to give it-I did not feel comfortable with this at all.  Too much time to wait for a doctor to make a decision that could affect whether or not my child lives or dies.  Also, none of the school staff are allowed to administer injections at any time.

  I went to the fire station that responds to my children’s schools in case a child is injured and talked to the chief and the EMT’s.  I gave them a letter from the endo outlining CAH and with precise emergency instructions and how to give the injection.  They advised me they would not be able to give it unless they got permission from the County Medical Director.  The fire chief sent all of my children’s info to the County Medical Director and within 24 hours, he responded.  Not only is the fire station and EMT’s that respond to my children’s school allowed to give the shot now, but the COUNTY is supplying the Solu-Cortef and putting together a kit to be carried on all of the emergency vehicles in the surrounding 14 fire stations, just in case one is out on a call and another has to respond or I am injured while out and about in my own county.  They have my children’s names, doctors names, my emergency contact info and other pertinent info with them in the kit, and have been trained about CAH and how to give the injections.  The staff at my children’s school has also been trained as well ( by the county).  We were very lucky our county took this and ran with it.  We also found out there are 2 other children who live in a neighboring county that have CAH and that county has gone through the same steps as well,  so they were also notified about my kids just in case we are in that county.

Hope that helps!!!!!!!  Good Luck.

Nicole