Chapter 43Emergency Vehicle Operations

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Overview

Readiness Response Driving Safety Arrival Transport Ending the Call Helicopter Transport

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Readiness

Emergency vehicle classifications Medical supplies Nonmedical Supplies

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Daily Preparation

Personnel Equipment preparedness

– Equipment failure

Vehicle preparedness

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Stop and Review

What is the necessary preparation for duty as an EMT?

Why is it necessary to perform an equipment check at the beginning of every shift?

Why is it necessary to perform a vehicle inspection at the beginning of every shift?

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Response

Alarm and alert Initial information Departure Driving

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Driving Safety

Emergency Vehicle Operator– Must be properly trained– Must remain calm under stress– Must know and be comfortable with the vehicle

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Driving Safety

Warning Devices– Markings– Emergency warning lights

• Sealed beam, LED, strobe– Audible Warning Devices

• Wail, yelp, hi-lo

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Driving Safety

Priority response Laws and regulations

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Driving Safety

Driving Conditions– Adverse weather– Heavy traffic– Controlled intersections

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Driving Safety

Braking– Consider the impact sudden stops may have on

the patient– Avoid panic stops– Apply the four second rule

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Arrival

Emergency lights Positioning Scene size-up

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Transport

Alert communications center of destination Determine necessity of lights and siren Do not allow family to follow

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Ending the Call

Transfer care Chart Clean Restock and refuel Return to station

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Stop and Review

What are the responsibilities of each crew member prior to and during an emergency response?

What are some of the EVO’s considerations during an emergency response and arrival on scene?

What do your local traffic laws require of emergency vehicles during an emergency response?

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Helicopter Transport

If patient is high priority and rapid transport will be beneficial

The helicopter crew can perform interventions that the ground crew cannot

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Landing Zone

Landing zone officer

Properly chosen location

Must be an adequate size

Approach path

100 ft

100 ft

100 ft

75 ft

75 ft

75 ft

75 ft100 ft

Cone Cone

ConeCone

ConeCone

Cone Cone

DAY

NIGHT

Flares: Touchdown area

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Landing Zone Safety

Remove anything that may blow around Wear appropriate protective equipment Keep onlookers at a distance Keep landing zone clear until the vehicle

is on the ground Use proper hand signals

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Landing Zone Safety

Never approach the aircraft while it is running Always approach from the front Know the danger zones

Approach

area

Approach

area

Cautionarea

Cautionarea

Dangerarea

Do NOTapproach

Dangerarea

Do NOTapproach

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Stop and Review

What are the two general indications for air medical transport?

What factors go into a landing zone preparation?

What safety procedures are important when operating around a helicopter?