Special Events Medical services providers of emergency medical services to specials events in Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia didn't start 2009 off with a bang, but instead with an Atomic Boom !

Beginning its second year of service in the District of Columbia and 13th year overall, SEMS was chosen to protect what some people are calling the biggest rock show in history. However the Opening Ceremonies of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration are remembered historically everyone agrees that to be there was to be apart of history. Clay Richmond President and CEO of SEMS says of the event, " They [the organizers of the event] could have chosen any EMS company in the world to provide protection for this historic event, and they choose us." He continued, saying, " to be given the opportunity to protect this event is validation of my life's work. I feel proud that our reputation for service is such that the event never hesitated to hire us".

SEMS was hired to provide emergency medical services during the set up of the event and break down which was held at the Lincoln memorial. SEMS's service culminated in the protection of the now famous "We Are One Concert " which features such icons as Bruce Springstien, U2, Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, Beyounce and Stevie Wonder to name just a few. The day of the concert SEMS was responsible for providing all EMS Care inside the secured perimeter for the guest and VIPs.

The day of the concert the temperature was a brisk 37 degrees at show time, but no one was feeling the temperature as the excitement and anticipation grew. Despite the thousands in attendance SEMS responded to very few medical emergencies, but was ready for any situation.

Clay Richmond, says, "that this was one of the proudest moments of my life. All the sacrifice and sleepless nights where all validated as SEMS stood proudly at the ready protecting the event of a generation. I'm too young the have been apart of Dr. King's march on DC, but this is my generation's March on DC. I will tell my grand kids about that day and how SEMS was apart of it. God Bless America".

Quarterly SEMS publishes a news letter for it's employees and clients. In these news letters you will find useful information for planning a safe event or other helpful tips, as well as information about SEMS. Please feel free to browse our archieve and check back to view upcoming issues of the SEMS Bugle.

SEMS Bugle Fall/Winter 2008
SEMS Bugle Spring
SEMS Bugle back issue

Past News

Thank You !

40 Under 40 Article

As we near the end of year and take time to reflect on 2007 it seems only appropriate to express our gratitude for all the great times and people we encountered. It truly does not feel like 10 years have past, but 2007 was our 10 year anniversary. That alone is an honor and not something taken lightly. Also in 2007 Clay Richmond, founder and owner of Special Events Medical Services (SEMS), was honored in the Baltimore Business Journal's "40 under 40" publication and November 9, 2007, luncheon for being one of the "best and brightest people businesspeople under the age of 40." None of this would have been possible without the continued support of loyal clients and friends.

In October 2007, Mr. Richmond, was asked and accepted an appointment to the National Steeplechase Medical Advisory Committee. With his appointment he hopes to take the experience and success SEMS has had protecting Maryland Equine events and share it with the goal of making all equine events as safe as possible.

Since day one it has never been about money, but about providing the best service possible. These honors are being viewed as recognition that we have achieved our goals. It's been a great ride growing SEMS from a little seedling of an idea to a sturdy young oak of a company. SEMS is not stopping, just the opposite. The plans are big for the future which include offices in Washington DC scheduled to open January 1, 2008 and Offices in Northen Virginia opening summer of 2008. 2009 plans include a national training center and a foray into Philadelphia and beyond.

SEMS recognizes that it all started here and would like to offer a Sincere and Heart Felt Thank You to everyone who has helped SEMS to achieve such a high level of success.

April 27, 2007

MARYLAND EVENT MEDICAL COMPANY AIMS FOR JULY 2007 OPENING IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

Special Events Medical Services approved for D.C. ambulance licensing at hearing on April 12, 2007

For Immediate Release.

Special Events Medical Services (SEMS) is proud to announce that on April 12, 2007 the Washington D.C. Health Department New Projects Review Committee approved the issuance of a Certificate of Need. This clears the way for licensing and a projected July 2007 commencement of services in the District of Columbia.

Clay Richmond President and CEO, says of clearing this hurdle, "This is very exciting and we look forward to joining the business community". SEMS, which is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary, is a Minority - owned private ambulance service that specializes in providing professional onsite medical services for special events and venues.

SEMS has evolved over the past decade. Initially, simply providing paramedics to special events and mass gatherings. Over the years our service has become much more comprehensive, one stop problem solvers. Designing, building, training and implementing emergency medical solutions and emergency response planning. Experience has taught SEMS that no two events are exactly the same, so Special Events Medical Services tailors service for each individual event. Clay Richmond explains that this approach provides solutions that generate the greatest amount of protection.

At most events, SEMS will treat many minor medical emergencies but when more serious situations arise care is begun in seconds instead of the minutes it would take to call 911 and wait for the arrival of an ambulance. In major emergencies this could be the different between life and death.

"No longer Maryland's Best Kept Secret, Special Events Medical Services is now widely respected and well positioned." Clay Richmond, remarked, "We are in a period of tremendous growth and it is very exciting".

Real Heroes

April 2007

By now you are aware of the Virginia Tech incident. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I have another concern about the victims people are not talking about. The student run EMT squad. Can you imagine being first in on a scene like that. I have been on a number of gruesome crime scenes in my career and none of them "sexy" like you see on television. Now imagine 50 people you know and have lived with. 50 people your have ,laughed with , cried with, you considerfamily. Now you have to walk in and accept that 22 of them are dead and there isnothing you can do about it. Worse, of the remaining you have to decide which ones of your friends will live and which ones will die. These young providers will have to carry these memories with them for the rest of their lives. Post traumatic stress. You think ? There are medics who work in major cities around the country, who routinely deal with the worst society has to offer and they have never had to deal with what these young people have and will have to deal with. I don't want this jerk to claim anymore lives. I don't want to increase his body count 2, 5, or 10 years from now. They will have some issues in front of them. I don't know how many of you remember the baby Jessica rescue, about 10 years ago, but all of the EMS providers on that traumatic incident are dead. I believe all by their own hands. I pose this question, what can we do as an organization, as family, as friends, as concerned human beings for these young professionals? I don't want to see them suffer with this and feel like they are alone. I believe we are all right there with them. I ask again what can we do to help ? Please take a moment and drop these young professionals a note of encouragement. They may not feel like heros, right now but they are. That we as their EMS family are there with them. Please pass the VT Rescue email along to family and friends pass this email along. Email: vtrescue@vt.edu

Virginia Tech Rescue Squad
Military Building, Barger St. (0245)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Email: vtrescue@vt.edu

Best regards
Clay Richmond
President
Special Events Medical Services

March 2007

MARYLAND MINORITY-OWNED EVENT MEDICAL COMPANY AIMS FOR EXPANSION INTO WASHINGTON, D.C., SURROUNDING STATES

Special Events Medical Services scheduled for D.C. licensing hearing on April 12, 2007

BALTIMORE, MD (March 6, 2007) – Special Events Medical Services (SEMS), a Baltimore-based, minority-owned event medical company, is scheduled for a licensing hearing in front of the Washington, D.C. Health Department New Project Committee on April 12, 2007 at 6 p.m.

"With the District going through a sort of renaissance under Mayor Adrian Fenty, we have renewed optimism that our license will be granted," said CEO and Founder Clay Richmond. "He appears to be more supportive of granting access to small and minority owned businesses."

Special Events Medical Services, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, provides professional emergency medical services to special events and venues. SEMS is the largest minority-owned provider of this specialized emergency medical service. After enjoying a high degree of success in the Baltimore Metropolitan area, SEMS is planning to expand its services to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Northern Virginia and Delaware.

The company is routinely hired to protect the largest and most prestigious events, such as the 2003 and 2007 Maryland Gubernatorial Celebration, Artscape (2003-2005) and includes on its high-profile client list the United States Naval Academy, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and 1st Mariner Arena. SEMS was founded in 1997 by Mr. Richmond, a 37-year-old former employee of the Baltimore City Fire Department who has 17 years of emergency services experience. Mr. Richmond is a graduate of Franklin Pierce College and Baltimore City College High School.

SEMS treats not only minor medical emergencies, but when more serious situations arise care begins in seconds instead of the minutes it would take to call 911 and wait for the arrival of an ambulance. In major emergencies this could be the difference between life and death. When the situation warrants, the patient is transported to the closest appropriate hospital. "Our clients consider the protection we offer indispensable," said Mr. Richmond. "By having us handle these emergencies it removes stress on the 911 system to continually dispatch ambulances for minor emergencies keeping them available for more serious calls for help."

Mr. Richmond adds, "Having been associated with some of the largest and most celebrated events has given us a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The most important lessons we've learned are to listen to your clients, be sensitive to their needs and absolutely and without compromise provide the highest quality of service possible."

What's new at our company...

NAME CHANGE AND RAPID EXPANSION IN STORE AS RAPID RESPONSE MOBILE MEDICAL TEAM BECOMES SPECIAL EVENTS MEDICAL SERVICES (SEMS)
Beginning in the summer of 2004, Rapid Response Mobile Medical Team will be changing it's name to " Special Events Medical Services (SEMS)". Clay Richmond, President ,says of this change " We have become the largest and best EMS provider in the State of Maryland. The name change is a symbolic gesture to reflect who we are, a stable, mature company in the community. It is our effort to simplify. We are rededicating ourselves to better meet the needs of our clients by improving the services that have propelled us to the pinnacle of this market."

Initially, we simply provided paramedics to special events and mass gatherings. Over the years our service has become much more comprehensive. We have become one stop problem solvers. We design, build and implement emergency medical solutions for our client and their events. Our experience has taught us that no two events are exactly the same, so we taylor our service for each individual client and that particular event. We provide solutions that generate the greatest amount of protection and peace of mind for our clients and their participants.

No longer Maryland's best kept secret, Special Events Medical Services acknowledges that their business is well respected and well positioned to service special events. They are experiencing a period of great growth. Special Events Medical Services took steps last year to prepare for this year's ambitious expansion. New equipment was researched, purchased and inventory was honed and updated. This came to fruition with the relocation to new office space after an exhaustive search for just the right space

Clay Richmond is confident that Special Events Medical Services is ready for the future, "The company experienced great growth last year, this expansion has been carefully thought out and in the production stage for the past few years. Efforts are continuing to be made to establish satellite offices, and in hiring new personnel to run them around the State of Maryland and in Washington, DC. Our expansion will start with launching our most ambitious marketing campaign ever. We have set very lofty goals for ourselves this year and beyond. "

SEMS announces expansion of services with free seminars,
How to Make Your Event Safe

For immediate release:
Special Events Medical Services (S EMS) formerly Rapid Response Mobile Medical Team founded in 1996 is currently expanding it''s services to include Bethesda, Rockville, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. Currently the largest provider of specialized medical services to special events, venues and mass gatherings in Maryland SEMS provides services for more special events per year than any fire department or private ambulance company
SEMS has been routinely hired to protect the largest and most prestigious events such as the 2003 Gubernatorial Celebration. Clay Richmond, 34 year old owner and former Baltimore City paramedic says of the success of the company, " Single minded attention to our profession and sensitivity to our clients needs has distinguished our company as the one to call to protect high profile events." He continues by saying, " Having been associated with the largest and most prestigious events has taught us a number of lessons. It is most important to actually listen to your clients, be sensitive to their needs and absolutely and without compromise provide them with the highest quality of service possible".
Our service offers relief for over worked and underfunded fire departments stretched to the limits by the new post 9 - 11 world. We also alleviate the controversy and liability of having public services protecting private interest at the expense of tax payers.
SEMS having been involved with well over two thousand events and mass gatherings over the years knows exactly what it takes to protect these affairs. Today''s litigious society demands more than just an ambulance and two medics sitting around all day. They demand more than fire departments and private ambulance companies can provide. Real preparation, planning, experience and expertise is required and that''s what we bring. By analyzing individual needs and devising an emergency medical solution tailored to the individual demands of each event our clients enjoy real protection
As an introduction to our service we will be providing free seminars through out year to event promoters and venue operators entitled Making Your Event Safe. These free seminars will provide information vital to keep events safe. Mr. Richmond says, "We get calls all the time from different parts of the country for our advice and thoughts on protecting a particular events".