Where does the EMT sit?

[Guest]

just as a side bar for those wondering how to respond to jobs...

NYS — EMS POLICY

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Every EMS response vehicle must be driven safely at all times, usually not exceeding the speed limit. Drivers exercising any of the V&T Law privileges must do so cautiously and with due regard for the safety of all others.

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Types of Responses -

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Non-emergency Operations - anytime an EMS response vehicle is out of the station on an assignment other than an emergency run, shall be considered to be a routine operation. All routine operations will be considered non-emergency and shall be made using headlights only - no light bars, beacons, corner or grill flashers or sirens shall be used. During a non-emergency operation, the ambulance shall be driven in a safe manner and is not authorized to use any emergency vehicle privileges as provided for in the V&T Law.

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Emergency Operations - shall be limited to any response to the scene or the hospital where the driver of the emergency vehicle actually perceives, based on instructions received or information available to him or her, the call to be a true emergency. EMD dispatch classifications6, indicating a true or potentially true emergency should be used to determine the initial response type. Patient assessments made by a certified care provider, should determine the response type (usually C or U as an emergency) to the hospital. In order for a response to be a true or potentially true emergency, the operator or certified care provider must have an articulable7 reason to believe that emergency operations may make a difference in patient outcome. During an emergency operation headlights and all emergency lights shall be illuminated and the siren used as necessary.

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Each EMS response vehicle operator must recognize that the emergency vehicle has no absolute right of way, it is qualified and cannot be taken forcefully8.

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During emergency operations every EMS response vehicle must be operated in such a manner and at such a speed upon approaching an intersection, controlled by a traffic control device so as to permit safe passage through the intersection. Before entering the intersection the operator must reduce the speed of the vehicle to be able to stop the vehicle if necessary to permit such safe passage. They should come to a complete stop if they have a red signal or stop sign.9

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Every EMS response vehicle must stop upon encountering a stopped school bus with red lights flashing; any non controlled railroad crossing or railroad crossing at which safety gates and/or warning lights are activated or if requested by a police officer.

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EMS response vehicles are discouraged from using escorts or traveling in convoys due to the extreme dangers associated with multiple emergency vehicles operating in close proximity to each other. For the purpose of this policy statement and any developed from it emergency vehicles should maintain a spacing of at least 300 - 400 feet between them in ideal driving conditions and more when visibility is limited or road conditions are less than ideal.10

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At emergency scenes the use of emergency warning lights must be governed by the need to protect the safety of all personnel, patients and the public. In some cases the use of emergency lights should be minimized.

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Per Part 800.21 of NYCRR, every NYS ambulance or ALSFR service must have and enforce a written policy which describes the authorized practices for driving EMS response vehicles by their members or employees. The service policy must be consistent with this policy and must include the following:

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A definition of emergency and non-emergency call types, including dispatch criteria for determining the type of call,

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A description of the authorization required to use emergency operations on dispatch and enroute to the hospital, including call types, dispatcher and crew chief authority and other criteria,

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A statement regarding exceeding the posted speed limit,

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A statement regarding the speed permitted and stopping requirements through intersections which are uncontrolled or controlled,

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Frequency and content of driver screening and training requirements for individuals authorized by the service to drive an EMS response vehicle. and

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Insurance company driver screening including age, driving record, training, and other requirements.

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Every NYS-EMS agency shall have a training program11 for all individuals authorized by the service to drive an EMS emergency response vehicle. The program shall include a curriculum, approved instructors, and frequency of training and documentation.

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Every NYS EMS agency shall have a notification policy in the event of an accident or crash. This shall be consistent with Part 800.21(p).

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A prompt, safe response can be attained by:

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Knowing where you are going.

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Having all personnel on board, seated with seat belts secured unless actively performing necessary emergency medical care.12

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Leaving the station in a safe and standard manner:

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quickly boarding the vehicle

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opening station doors fully

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Using warning devices to move with and around traffic and to request the right-of-way.

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Driving defensively, at reasonable speeds, slowing or stopping at all intersections and giving approaching traffic adequate time to recognize the vehicle and yield the right of way.

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Using pre-planned response routes which take into account hazards, construction, traffic density, etc.

[Guest]

Don't touch my siren.......play with the radio all you want.....noisebox belong to ME.

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If you ask me, the driver should be doing one thing..driving. If there is a passenger in the front the radio and siren belong to them....unless they for some good reason are not operating them(siren) efficiently. there are too many liabilities out there to have the drivers taking their attention away from the road. so in my eyes, when available, let the passenger, EMT or not, handle the equipment.

[Guest]

Working part-time for a combined agency, there are instances (and i've been in many) where your going to have to respond alone and operate the vehicle, radio and siren. It's not the best situation in the world but i've never had an issue with it.

Edited November 29, 2006 by 66Alpha1

[antiquefirelt 994]

Some of you would not like riding with me.  I love how some of you are so concerned about who touches the siren this and that.  You'd last 30 seconds when I would turn everything off and say now get there and time it and show you how small a differance is.

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First I couldn't agree more on how many calls are "over responded to" when non-emergency would not effect the outcome. But I will argue that there is a need to have the driver focus on driving, not making whoop whoop sounds with the siren or talking on the radio, JUST DRIVE!! This is obviously even more true when responding to a true emergency "hot".

For those drivers that feel the need to drive fast, talk on the radio and run the siren I say, " Go buy a Playstation! Maybe when you grow up you can come and be a professional. We don't need any more dead brothers and sisters or innocent civilians. Many of you are holding the rest of us back from being seen as a true profession, when the public percieves us to be a bunch of overgrown kids excited to make loud noises and drive real fast.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Chris192...lol. thanks for the good laugh.

I also for got to point something out and maybe I should make a seperate thread but....

untill a chief or someone on scene says to proced with caution?

Enough with this term already. You want to say something that makes no sense..."all units respond with caution." Becasue prior to that we were all driving recklessly. Its stupid. No other word can describe it better. 10-20 was nothing, now everyone is saying the plain english it meant. Which is nothing.

Under NYS V & T Law you are only supposed to use lights and sirens for true emergencies. So what does proceed with caution mean? I've seen everything and everything. I wish the county would next come up with a code systems for all to use instead of "proceed with caution", 10-20/proceed with caution should have been listed as "responde code 1" no lights, no sirens.

Oh yeah who sits in the back?

S T U D E N T S.

[Remember585 815]

To answer the question of which driver should drive....

How about ONE OF THEM - and leave the other one behind should you get another run?? Same with EMTs - if two show up for a call and you know manpower is limited, then have the 2nd one hang back or even come to the scene and assist - don't commit all of your available personnel to one job!

Another peeve - if you waste an EMT to drive the Fly-car when someone of lesser qualification is there then you deserve a swift boot to da' nutz. I hate nothing more then when a call goes ALS and you have your driver, EMT and Medic on the rig, and another EMT driving the Fly-Car behind you. Give that job to someone who has no other real purpose on an EMS call - like a FIRE CHIEF!!! Whoops.....inner voice....