RPI Ambulance
Driver Class
Rev: 26Sept2012
Driver Class
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Introduction to the Position
Rules & Responsibilities
Duties of the Driver
Radio Communications
Ambulance Operations
Written Examination & Procedures for Advancement
Updated 10/2011
RPI Ambulance Driver Class
2
Introduction to the Position
• Responsibilities
‒ The person in charge of the safe operation of the
ambulance.
‒ In charge of transporting the patient and crew during an
EMS call or during normal driving.
• Qualifications to Begin Training
− Hold the rank of RPI Ambulance
Attendant
− Hold a current Class D License
(from any State).
− Pass the Driver Exam
Updated 10/2011
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3
Primary Responsibility
• Safety
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Your safety
The safety of the crew
The safety of the patient
The safety of others
• You can not help the patient if you cause
injury to yourself, or cause damage to the
ambulance.
Updated 10/2011
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General Responsibilities
• “DO NO HARM”
– Drive and operate the ambulance in a safe manner
• Deliver crew and ambulance to scene safely
• Assist the crew chief with moving the patient.
• Transport patient and crew to the hospital while maintaining a
suitable working platform for effective patient care.
• Return the crew to quarters or another suitable drop-off point
in a safe and professional manner.
Updated 10/2011
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Driving
Responsibilities
• Be knowledgeable of all buildings, facilities and access roads
on the RPI Campus
• Be able to navigate to the area hospitals
– Samaritan, St. Mary’s, Albany Med, etc.
• Be knowledgeable of local geography
– Troy, Brunswick, North Greenbush, etc.
• Be able to read a map and determine an efficient route to the
scene under pressure
– Mutual Aid call for Cardiac Arrest in North Greenbush
Updated 10/2011
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Rules
• Drive with “Due Regard” for the safety of others.
• Use Priority I – “Lights and Sirens” when:
– Dispatched to Bravo determinant or higher.
– Advised by the crew chief.
• Use Priority II – “Non-Emergency Mode” when:
– Responding to MCIs, other standbys.
– Normal driving.
Updated 10/2011
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NYS Laws
• New York State Vehicle & Transportation (V&T) Laws
• May exceed the speed limit
• May travel against traffic on a one-way street
• May disregard traffic control devices
• May park where ever deemed necessary
These exceptions only apply when in ‘emergency mode’ (both lights
and sirens).
Updated 10/2011
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RPI Ambulance Rules
• V&T SOP restrictions
• May exceed the speed limit by no greater than10 MPH.
• May travel against traffic on a one-way street at a speed no
greater than 20 MPH.
• May disregard traffic control devices after coming to a stop at
the intersection.
• May park where ever deemed necessary.
These exceptions only apply when in ‘emergency mode’ (both lights
and sirens)
Updated 10/2011
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Rules and
Responsibilities
What do you do if?
Always stop! Shut off the siren! Watch out for Children! You do
not have the right of way!
Updated 10/2011
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Duties During a Duty Crew
• Conduct a vehicle inspection and complete the vehicle checklist.
• Ensure that the ambulance is presentable and conducive to good
patient care.
• Assist the crew chief with an equipment checklist and ensure that
the ambulance is fully stocked.
• Notify the duty supervisor of any problems.
• Drive the crew where they need to go in a safe manner
Updated 10/2011
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Duties During A Call
• Communicate with Dispatch.
• Ensure the safety of the crew, ambulance, and bystanders before getting
into the driver’s seat.
• Verify all personnel are in secure positions before moving the ambulance.
• Drive to the scene in a safe and efficient manner at the appropriate
response level.
• Park at the scene in a safe, easy to access location.
• Leave the vehicle running on high idle at all times while on scene. Use the
secondary warning lights while parked on scene.
Updated 10/2011
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Duties On Scene/At the
Hospital
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Assist Crew Chief as needed on scene.
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At the hospital, turn off the ambulance and assist the crew in unloading
and transferring the patient to the hospital bed.
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Move the ambulance out of the bay, if other bays are full.
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Clean and disinfect the ambulance as appropriate.
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Prepare stretcher for service.
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Restock the ambulance to comply with Part 800 as necessary.
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Obtain run times and number for the PCR from the Rensselaer County
over the phone.
Updated 10/2011
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13
Radio Types
The “800”
– Communicate with Dispatch, Ambul. to Ambul.
– Portable Unit and Mobile Station in the ambulance
– Ambulance call sign, “5939”
– Driver call sign, “RPI Ambulance Car 6”
• Agency Portables (155.220 MHz)
– Vertex Standards, Motorola HT-750
– Amassing a day crew, event operations, training, etc.
– Ambulance call sign, “A-39”
– Personal call signs, “900” Numbers
Updated 10/2011
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VHF Radios
• VHF
– Located in Driver and Patient compartments
– Has RPIA, DPS, other frequencies
– Crew Chief uses BLS 340 and BLS 400 to
communicate with the hospital
– Statewide Tactical channel “715” (155.715)
Updated 10/2011
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Dispatch
• RPI Ambulance is dispatched on Channel 1 on RPI Ambulance’s
Radios:
– Dispatcher: “Stand By RPI Ambulance”
– Tones
– Dispatcher: “RPI Ambulance for a <determinant>
determinant EMS call for <Demographics> <Chief
Complaint> at <Location>”
• Example: “ RPI Ambulance. Delta determinant EMS call for a seizure,
RPI Crockett Hall, 72 Griswold Road. Cross Streets are Sage Ave
and Bouton Road.”
Updated 10/2011
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Call Determinants
– Alpha: BLS Priority II
• Non-Emergency
– Bravo: BLS Priority I
• Emergency, Not Imminently life threatening
– Charlie: ALS & BLS Priority I
• Emergency, Possibly life threatening
– Delta: ALS & BLS Priority I
• Emergency, life threatening
– Echo: ALS & BLS Priority I (anyone with an
AED)
• Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest/ Unknown life status
Updated 10/2011
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Dispatch Communications
Communicating With the Dispatcher
• Driver: “Dispatch, 5939.”
• Dispatch: “5939.”
• Driver: “5939 is <message>.”
• Message needs to be “Quick and Clear.”
“Optional” Communications
Acknowledging Call, Confirming Crew
Required Communications
En route
On scene
En route to hospital
Arrive at hospital
In Service
In Quarters
Updated 10/2011
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Requesting ALS
• ALS: Call severity exceeds BLS Level
• Decision of Crew Chief
• Requesting ALS (800)
– “5939 Requesting ALS (from) for a (Pertinent Pt
Info) (At scene, en route)”
– “5930 Requesting ALS intercept for 18 y/o
male, traumatic fall, +LOC, Head/C-Spine
Trauma, destination Albany Med, via 15th
street, route 7, 787, Madison Ave, New
Scotland”
Updated 10/2011
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Requesting Mutual Aid
• Mutual Aid: Requesting help due to lack of
ability to treat patient
– Equipment failure (A-39)
– Lack of Crew
• Requesting Mutual Aid (800)
– Driver: “Dispatch, 5939”
– Dispatch: “5939”
– Driver:“5939 (unable to confirm crew/Equipment
failure), requesting mutual aid.”
Updated 10/2011
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A Tour of A-39
“800”
Emergency Lights
VHF Radio
Other Light Controls
& Snow Chains
Siren Control
Clipboard & Maps
Updated 10/2011
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Under The Hood
Updated 10/2011
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Shore-Line Auto Ejector
Updated 10/2011
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Ambulance Operations
The Forester and the Office
Updated 10/2011
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Operational Procedures
•
Starting the Ambulance
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Headlights always on
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Backing the Ambulance/Spotter
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Which Hospital? What route?
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On campus driving considerations
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Boundaries
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Working with other agencies
Updated 10/2011
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Maintenance
• Vehicle Checks (Rig Checks)
– Check lights, brakes, safety
equipment, etc.
• Fluid checks
– Oil, Brake Fluid, Engine Coolant,
Washer Fluid, Power Steering Fluid,
Transmission Fluid, Diesel
• Fueling the Ambulance
• Washing the Ambulance
Updated 10/2011
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Mutual Aid
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Mutual aid is called when an agency or area
can’t send an ambulance or there are too
many patients (MCI, MVA, etc.)
– Mechanical problems
– No crew available
– On another call
RPI Ambulance is on the mutual aid list for
Brunswick, North Greenbush and Troy
RPI Ambulance has been called to support
other regions during extreme weather
Updated 10/2011
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Common Area Hospitals
Hospital
Address
Distance
Features
Samaritan
2215 Burdett Avenue, Troy NY
~2 Minutes
Stroke Center, Cath. lab
St. Mary’s
1300 Massachusetts Ave. Troy NY
~15 Minutes
Stroke Center
Albany Medical
Center
43 New Scotland Ave, Albany NY
~15 Minutes
Level 1 Trauma Center, Stroke
Center
St. Peter’s
Medical Center
315 S. Manning Blvd, Albany NY
~20 Minutes
Cath. Lab, Stroke Center
Updated 10/2011
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Rare Area Hospitals
Hospital
Address
Distance
Features
Albany Memorial
Hospital
600 Northern Blvd, Albany NY
~15 Minutes
Stroke Center
Albany VA Stratton
113 Holland Ave, Albany NY
~5 Minutes
VA, Veterans Only
Ellis Hospital
1101 Nott St. Schenectady, NY
~30 Minutes
Stroke Center
Bellevue Maternity
Hospital
2210 Troy-Schenectady Road
Niskayuna, NY
~20 Minutes
OB/GYN
Updated 10/2011
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Other Situations
• Accidents
– With/without a Patient onboard
– While in Priority I mode
• Mass Casualty Incident (MCI)
• Equipment Failures
Updated 10/2011
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Phone Numbers
• Instructor will give you the Following Phone
Numbers:
– RPI Ambulance Duty Supervisor
– Rensselaer County Dispatch, “Rensco DPS”
Updated 10/2011
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A Word of Warning
• Safety is Priority I
• Ambulances are the most dangerous vehicle on the
road
• Accidents are always your fault
• Convey the Patient and crew safely to the destination
Updated 10/2011
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Probationary Driver
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A. Hold a valid Driver’s License
B. Be an Attendant
C. Attend and pass the written exam for the RPIA Driver Training Class
D. Complete the Driver Promotional Checklist
E. Complete and submit copy of a Driver Equipment Checklist
F. After completing requirements A, B and C, complete Driver Training with
a Driver Trainer in the driver compartment of the Ambulance, showing
proficiency in all necessary skills (driving, backing up, checklists, etc) and
submit a Driver Evaluation Form (During this time you may be allowed
complete requirement G)
G. Drive 2 non-emergency calls with a Driver Trainer in the driver
compartment of the Ambulance and submit Driver Evaluation Forms
H. After completing both requirements F and G Drive 2 emergency calls
with a Driver Trainer in the driver compartment and submit Driver
Evaluation Forms.
I. Pass the Driver Practical Exam and Cone Course
J. Request and receive approval by the Training Committee to be
promoted to Probationary Driver
Updated 10/2011
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Full Driver
• A. Be a Probationary Driver
• B. Hold a CEVO/EVDD Certification
• C. Request and receive approval from the Training
Committee as defined in SOPs to be promoted to
Driver
Updated 10/2011
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Written Examination & Procedures
for Advancement
Updated 10/2011
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The End. Go Out and
Drive Some EMS Calls
Updated 10/2011
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