The White House Historical Association recently unveiled the design of the 2016 Official White House Christmas Ornament. Honoring the presidency of Herbert Hoover, the ornament is a vintage fire truck design commemorating the 1929 Christmas Eve four-alarm fire of the West Wing. Montserrat College of Art student Kayla Whelan, the winner of the Association’s national art school design competition, created this year’s design.

Americanmade, the 36th official ornament offered by the Association continues the tradition of honoring U.S. presidents in sequential order or marking a significant White House historical anniversary with the annual ornament. President Hoover served as the 31st President of the United States and was hosting his staff and their children for a Christmas party in the Entrance Hall of the East Wing when a fire broke out in the Executive Office.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE FIRE >>

One hundred and thirty firefighters from 19 engine companies and four truck companies responded to the four-alarm fire that destroyed the West Wing. No one was injured in the blaze, and the following Christmas, White House staff and their children gathered again to celebrate the holidays and the Hoovers presented the children with toy fire trucks as gifts.

“The 2016 ornament honors a significant moment in White House history that is an often forgotten moment of Hoover’s presidency,” said White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin. “We wanted to create an ornament that continues the beautiful aesthetic tradition of the past 36 years and also honors the hundreds of firefighters that heroically fought the Christmas Eve blaze.”

The sale of every Official White House Ornament supports the Association’s mission to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the White House. The ornament is on sale beginning today, exclusively at the Association’s retail stores in Washington, D.C. and online at Shop.WhiteHouseHistory.org for $20.95.

This year’s ornament design was created by Montserrat College of Art student Kayla Whelan, who won a national design competition the Association offered to art and design schools across the country. Whelan’s winning entry was selected from among the hundreds of entries the Association received. Whelan received a $5,000 cash prize for her winning entry and her college received a $50,000 scholarship from the White House Historical Association.

Montserrat College of Art President Steve Immerman said, “The Montserrat community is ecstatic that another student has won such prestigious national recognition. We are so proud of Kayla Whelan for the hard work she has done to reach this level of professionalism. To create a design that will live on in our nation's history for centuries to come not only launches Kayla's professional career, but is further evidence of how Montserrat College of Art prepares students for careers in the creative industries.”

GOLETA, CA—Because of the need for a quick extrication device when spinal immobilization is not a concern, the Drag-On Lift Harness™ was developed and engineered by CMC Rescue and Skedco as a means to rapidly package and evacuate a patient from a confined space or area with limited access. The device enables the rescuer to provide a fast load-and-go technique that allows the patient to be packaged efficiently and securely for a vertical lift, horizontal carry out or drag extraction. The drag sheet is constructed from heavy-duty E-Z glide plastic that becomes rigid when curved around the patient. Compact storage, ease of use, and flexibility in transport have made other Sked® products that use this technology popular worldwide. The system is designed for vertical extrication using the harness V-ring attachments, or the integrated handles allow the stretcher to be carried or dragged on its smooth surface. In the event that spinal immobilization is needed, the device is compatible with the Skedco Oregon Spine Splint system (OSS) and cervical collar.

Features include:

• Designed for quick and secure vertical lifts, dragging or carry-out extractions.
• Vertical lift attachment points designed for use with a lifting bridle/spreader bar.
• Compatible with Skedco OSS system and other spinal immobilization devices.
• Replaceable Skedco E-Z glide plastic drag sheet protects patient and harness.
• Integrated harness assembly restrains the patient securely.
• Padded back section and leg loops provide patient comfort.
• Color-coded straps and quick-connect fasteners expedite patient packaging.
• Handles on sides, top and bottom allow for easy positioning and moving the patient.
• AustriAlpin Cobra® buckles are secure and simple to adjust.
• Corrosion-resistant hardware.
• X-ray translucent.
• Cleans easily.
• UL-Classified to NFPA 1983 (2012 ed.) Class III Victim Extrication Device
• Made in USA of domestic and foreign components.

Spinal Immobilization Protocol
There has been a recent trend in the increasing number of EMS agencies that support a progressive, evidence-based approach in an effort to lessen unnecessary spinal immobilizations in the field. It’s appropriate for emergency personnel to immobilize certain trauma patients, however many other trauma patients are unnecessarily immobilized. Spinal immobilization isn’t always a benign intervention as it can result in increased scene time, delay of delivery to definitive care, problematic airway management, increased patient pain and discomfort, and unnecessary radiographic testing. Many trauma patients can be safely and accurately assessed and treated without spinal immobilization if they meet all criteria in pre-hospital spinal assessment guidelines. Extensive training and ongoing review is necessary for an effective selective immobilization protocol. Always refer to your specific medical directive for spinal immobilization procedure.

For more information, visit www.cmcrescue.com.

Whitestown (IN) Fire Department, 78-foot rear-mount aerial quint. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; eMAX 1,500-gpm pump.