Ambulance Operations
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Transcript Ambulance Operations
Ambulance Operations
Temple College
EMS Professions
Emergency Vehicle Laws
The driver of an authorized emergency
vehicle may:
Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of
this chapter;
Proceed past a red light or stop signal, but
only after slowing down as may be necessary
for safe operation;
Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as
he does not endanger life or property
Disregard regulations governing direction of
movement or turning in specified directions.
Emergency Vehicle Laws
The exemptions herein granted to
an authorized emergency vehicle
shall apply only when such vehicle is
making use of audible and visual
signals meeting the requirements of
this Act.
Emergency Vehicle Laws
The foregoing provisions shall not
relieve the driver of an authorized
emergency vehicle from the duty to
drive with due regard for the safety
of all persons.
Driving Excellence
Good Driving Basics
Wear seat belts
Practice; Become familiar with:
Acceleration
Deceleration
Braking
Cornering
Fender and bumper clearance
Good Driving Basics
Hand position
9-3 o’clock positions
One hand pulls; the other slides
Neither hand should pass 6 o’clock
Keep to the left (other traffic should
be to the right)
Never rely on what another motorist
will do
Maintaining Control
Braking
Pump brakes slowly, smoothly
NEVER brake on curve
Brake going into curves; accelerate
moving out of them
Maintaining Control
Railroads
Plan alternate routes for grade
crossings
Wait out long trains if there is no over
or underpass in a reasonable distance
Maintaining Control
School buses
There is NO emergency vehicle
exemption from laws pertaining to
school buses
If red lights are flashing, stop and wait
until driver motions you on.
Maintaining Control
Bridges and Tunnels
Ability to pass may be limited
Consider alternative routes if traffic is
heavy
Be sure height roadway will
accommodate ambulance
Maintaining Control
Traffic Patterns
Learn traffic flow patterns in your area
based on time of day, day of week,
locations
Plan for alternative routes through or
past specific problem areas
Maintaining Control
Road Surface
Pay attention to irregularities in road
surface (bumps, potholes)
Inner lanes of multi-lane highways
usually are smoothest
Maintaining Control
Hydroplaning
Occurs on wet roads at speeds >35mph
Water causes loss of contact between
tire and road surface
If you can’t see tread marks of car
ahead of you in water on highway,
there is risk of hydroplaning
Slow down; lightly tap brakes to ensure
dryness
Maintaining Control
Backing Up
ALWAYS have someone spot for driver
while ambulance is backing
Move slowly, carefully
Maintaining Control
Escorts
Extremely dangerous
Use only when unfamiliar with location
of patient or hospital
Allow safe distance between escort
vehicle and ambulance
Intersection Collisions
Most common form of ambulance collision
Causes:
Other drivers “timing” lights
Emergency vehicles following each other
Multiple emergency vehicles converging on
same location
Motorists going around stopped traffic
Vision of pedestrians in crosswalk obstructed
by other vehicles
Intersection Collisions
Slow down at
intersections.
Ensure other drivers
have seen you and
stopped before you
proceed.
Warning Devices
Warning Lights
Use at all times when responding to
emergency calls
Also, turn on headlights during
daylight hours
Use minimal lighting in heavy fog or
when parked
Siren
Relatively ineffective
Never pull directly behind a car and
blast your siren
Sirens may affect patients adversely
Sirens may cause driver to speed
excessively or to take risks
Give other drivers time to
notice, react to warning
devices.