Chapter 43 Emergency Vehicle Operations

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 2 Overview  Readiness  Response  Driving Safety  Arrival  Transport  Ending the Call  Helicopter Transport

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 3 Readiness  Emergency vehicle classifications  Medical supplies  Nonmedical Supplies

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 4 Daily Preparation  Personnel  Equipment preparedness –Equipment failure  Vehicle preparedness

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 5 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?

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 6 Response  Alarm and alert  Initial information  Departure  Driving

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 7 Driving Safety  Emergency Vehicle Operator –Must be properly trained –Must remain calm under stress –Must know and be comfortable with the vehicle

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 8 Driving Safety  Warning Devices –Markings –Emergency warning lights Sealed beam, LED, strobe –Audible Warning Devices Wail, yelp, hi-lo

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 9 Driving Safety  Priority response  Laws and regulations

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 10 Driving Safety  Driving Conditions –Adverse weather –Heavy traffic –Controlled intersections

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 11 Driving Safety  Braking –Consider the impact sudden stops may have on the patient –Avoid panic stops –Apply the four second rule

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 12 Arrival  Emergency lights  Positioning  Scene size-up

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 13 Transport  Alert communications center of destination  Determine necessity of lights and siren  Do not allow family to follow

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 14 Ending the Call  Transfer care  Chart  Clean  Restock and refuel  Return to station

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 15 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?

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 16 Helicopter Transport  If patient is high priority and rapid transport will be beneficial  The helicopter crew can perform interventions that the ground crew cannot

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 17 Landing Zone  Landing zone officer  Properly chosen location  Must be an adequate size  Approach path

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 18 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

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 19 Landing Zone Safety  Never approach the aircraft while it is running  Always approach from the front  Know the danger zones

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 20 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?