Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Emergency Vehicle Driver Education Self Directed Learning Presentation Please use the page down button on the keyboard to progress through the presentation

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Please take the time to read through the following information and be sure that you understand the responsibilities that come with being a Driver of an Emergency Vehicle. If you have any questions please talk with the Primary Health Care Manager or District Manager for your health centre.

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace  The responsibilities that MUST be observed as a driver of an emergency vehicle  Guidelines for the use of emergency vehicles  Safety issues This presentation provides drivers of health centre emergency vehicles with information about:

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE DIFFERENT The Northern Territory Traffic Act provides the legal framework for the standards and use of emergency vehicles. The Act requires that the Department of Health (DoH) meet specific requirements for vehicles used as emergency vehicles, including:Northern Territory Traffic Act  Emergency vehicles are fitted with a red flashing light, bell or repeater horn, siren and identification such as candy striping  Emergency Drivers are provided with instruction concerning their responsibilities when in charge of an emergency vehicle

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Have a current NT Manual Drivers License Have a zero blood alcohol level Read the following information and understand their responsibilities when driving an emergency vehicle Sign the Declaration for Drivers of Emergency Vehicles DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES Drivers of DoH Vehicles MUST observe the following conditions:

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace EMERGENCY VEHICLE FIT OUT Emergency Vehicles are fitted with:  Red Flashing Lights  A siren, bell or repeater horn  Markings (candy stripes) on the side of the vehicle Note: UNDER THE NORTHERN TERRITORY TRAFFIC ACT, THE USE OF THE SIREN AND / OR FLASHING LIGHTS ALLOWS THE HEALTH CENTRE AMBULANCE TO BE REGARDED AS AN ‘EMERGENCY VEHICLE’

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace WHEN TO ACTIVATE FLASHING LIGHTS AND SIREN FLASHING LIGHTS ARE TO BE USED:  WHEN RESPONDING TO ALL EMERGENCIES  WHEN STOPPED AT AN EMERGENCY SCENE SIRENS ARE TO BE USED:  WHERE APPROPRIATE WHEN RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Drivers of Emergency Vehicles receive a special exemption during the course of their work under the NT Traffic Regulations. This exemption means that some provisions of the Australian Road Rules do not apply to a Driver of an Emergency Vehicle …NT Traffic Regulations ONLY WHEN  The driver is taking reasonable care  It is reasonable that the usual rules should not apply  The moving vehicle is displaying a red flashing light or sounding an alarm and IT IS SAFE DURING AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace DURING AN EMERGENCY IF IT IS NECESSARY AND SAFE TO DO SO A DRIVER OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE MAY:  Drive in any direction on part of a public street  Overtake or pass on either side of another vehicle  Stop, leave standing or park at any time or place  Exceed the speed limit BUT ONLY WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace FAILURE TO COMPLY It is important to understand the consequence of failing to comply with the regulations governing drivers of an emergency vehicle. SHOULD IT BE PROVED THAT AS A DRIVER OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE YOU HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT IN RELATION TO THE NT TRAFFIC ACT YOU ARE PERSONALLY LIABLE UNDER THE LAW

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace EMERGENCY SCENES As the Driver of an emergency vehicle you are responsible for the vehicle at the emergency scene:  Position the vehicle so that it is safe and accessible  Activate the red flashing lights  Some equipment (eg flashing lights) may flatten the batteries of the vehicle – consider leaving the vehicle running  If the vehicle is to be left unattended ensure that it is locked

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Further Considerations

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace PREPARATION OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE FUEL: Check that the fuel gauge on the main tank reads ½ - ¾ full and that the auxiliary tank is full VISUAL INSPECTION: Make a visual inspection of the vehicle for any obvious problems (While vehicle oil and water levels are checked monthly, if you are embarking on a long trip it is wise to check the oil and water levels before departure) COMMUNICATION: Check the satellite phone / radio are working REPORT DEFECTS: Report any defects to the Primary Health Care Manager PACKING THE VEHICLE: Pack clinical equipment into the vehicle ensuring it is adequately secured REFUEL: The vehicle is to be refuelled as soon as possible following an emergency to ensure that it remains ready for use

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace PERSONAL PREPARATION You may be required to travel some distance to an emergency and it is difficult to predict how long you will be there. Therefore:  Always take DRINKING WATER with you  Dress according to the climate. Sturdy footwear that provides protection and grip is necessary. Protection from the sun with a hat and long sleeved clothing is recommended. Consider if you need to take warm clothes  Think about taking a snack with you if it is a long distance to travel

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IN THE BUSH Primary Health Care Remote staff travelling to an emergency outside of their normal workplace are exposed to unique factors:  The distance, remoteness and terrain requires good driving skills, a reliable vehicle and equipment  Travel on Aboriginal Land which demands respect and consideration. See Aboriginal Land PermitsAboriginal Land Permits  The potential for incidents to occur in lonely situations

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IN THE BUSH YOUR SAFETY IS IMPORTANT Make sure you use the appropriate mechanisms to provide details about travel such as the destination, expected time of arrival, expected time of return, and the names of people within the vehicle. Mechanisms may include:  Notifying other health centre / community personnel  Writing travel details on the health centre whiteboard  Notifying appropriate town-based personnel CHECK THAT TRAVEL DETAILS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BEFORE DEPARTURE!

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace REPORTING DAMAGE OR INJURY All incidents resulting in damage to the vehicle or injury to any person must be reported promptly to the Primary Health Care Manager and/or District Manager. An Incident Report on RiskMan must be completed as soon as practicable.RiskMan If you have any concerns please discuss these with the Primary Health Care Manager or District Manager.

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Information within this presentation, in conjunction with the Atlas Item - Emergency Vehicles, provides you with the information you require to operate an emergency vehicle in accordance with the law. The Primary Health Care Manager or District Manager will ask you to sign a declaration that you understand your responsibilities when driving an Emergency Vehicle. This declaration should only be signed after reading the document: Atlas – Emergency VehiclesAtlas – Emergency Vehicles (Please ‘click’ the link above and read the information) DECLARATION - EMERGENCY VEHICLE RESPONSIBILITIES FORM

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Declaration - Emergency Vehicles Responsibilities Form ‘Click’ on the link above, print, complete and sign the form. Please give your signed form to the Primary Health Care Manager or District Manager. Related Primary Health Care Remote Protocols Please ‘click’ on the following documents and read the information  Staff Travel - Safety Considerations Staff Travel - Safety Considerations  Staff On-Call - Safety Considerations Staff On-Call - Safety Considerations  Safety Restraints in Vehicles Safety Restraints in Vehicles SIGNING THE DECLARATION

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace And some helpful information on the use of stretchers…….. Loading and unloading stretchers into an Emergency Vehicle is ideally a two person job. To become proficient in using a stretcher please utilise the following information, practice using the stretcher, and maintain competency. For Stryker Stretchers see: Stryker Stretchers - Training & Competency Assessment Package.Stryker Stretchers - Training & Competency Assessment Package For Ferno Stretchers continue this presentation and view slides 22 to 26 of this presentation.

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace Thank You If you have any queries please discuss these with the Primary Health Care Manager or District Manager. To view information on Ferno Stretchers please continue this presentation.

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace LOADING A STRETCHER INTO THE VEHICLE From the foot of the stretcher push the wheels at the head of the stretcher up the ramp Note: the stretcher remains weight bearing on the four main legs 1.Check the ramp is down and the lock is open

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace 3.Loading the head of the stretcher: Squeeze the right control handle and start to push the stretcher into the vehicle. Use forward lunge movement. LOADING A STRETCHER INTO THE VEHICLE The front legs fold under the stretcher Note: the stretcher is now resting on the vehicle and two rear legs.

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace 5.When the rear legs near the ramp, squeeze the left control handle while continuing to squeeze the right control handle and push the stretcher into the ambulance LOADING A STRETCHER INTO THE VEHICLE The rear legs fold under the stretcher

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace 8.Lock the stretcher in place LOADING A STRETCHER INTO THE VEHICLE Adjust the wheels

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace 10.Fold the ramp up vertically against the stretcher LOADING A STRETCHER INTO THE VEHICLE Fold in / push in the extension handles