In this podcast we talk with Battalion Chief of Community Medicine Joe Casciotti from the Harris County Emergency Services District #48 in Texas about their Mobile Integrated Health/Community Paramedicine program that addresses the issues around Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). CVD is the leading cause of death across the nation, and Harris County, in partnership with the hospital system, has developed a system for following up with heart attack victims to reduce re-admissions through home safety visits – with remarkable results. Readmission rates dropped from 12% to 4%, a significant decrease. CVD is the leading cause of death in America, killing 600,000 people per year. To put this in context, 200 times more people die from CVD than from fires, which kill 3,000 people every year. CVD is a CRR issue…not every community has had a fatal fire, but every community has lost members to CVD. Listen to what Joe has to say and learn what you can do in your community!
Joseph Walters
Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshall (OSFM)
Executive Officer
Joe Walters is the Executive Officer for the State Fire Marshal, with the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal (OSFM). As the first “Executive Officer ” Joe has been integral in moving the OSFM into the 21st century, from technology advancements, fleet refreshments, equipment needs to health and wellness awareness. Since 2016, he has also led a part in the agencies community risk reduction programs. He has been proactive in fire prevention programs throughout the State and has assisted with the dissemination of important fire & life saving information via social media and other platforms. He currently sits on the Mid Atlantic Life Safety Conference Committee as the operations command, trying to enhance the program. By trade he is a fire investigator and worked in the field for several years prior to the appointment of Executive Officer. He worked several high profile cases and made many arson and explosive related arrests. He has had the opportunity to sit in forums such as the Truman Symposiums and the FEMA AFG content development group. On his off time, he is a 20-year veteran of the volunteer fire service where he currently serves in the role of Captain. He has held many roles including Assistant Treasurer and Vice President. He is also an instructor for the National Safe Boating Council and specialize in the maritime rescue discipline. He and his wife own a small custom t-shirt business, which was started just before the birth of their child, in 2015. When not working, he loves sitting on the Chesapeake Bay on his boat or tearing up the mud four wheeling in the woods.
