Ambulance Operations

Temple CollegeEMS 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.