EMT 170 Emergency Communications & Patient Transportation (Cars & Radios) Gregg Lander Chemeketa EMT Program

Welcome to EMT 070 Emergency Driving and Communications Class AKA…..Cars and Radios My goal is to educate and have fun All of you have potential for an A grade If you all deserve an A, you will get one.

Why do we need to take a course like this? Emergency Driving and Communications!

Would you know how to drive through this intersection safely?

The State Regulates us to do it! This course meets or exceeds the requirements of the state. You will receive a certificate that you can show to prospective employers at the successful conclusion of this class

But why do they make us take this? They want to assure that all emergency vehicle operators have been exposed to this basic information They want to provide a safe environment for the emergency vehicle operator, the patient and the public.

What do radios have to do with safety? Communications is the basis for safety. Poor communications cause accidents. Best outcomes are achieved with good communications All the pieces need to come together to meet the goal of safety and good patient care.

NASA, We have lost communication with the shuttle!

It’s a Jungle Out There! In the year 2000, 41,821 people died in motor vehicle crashes. An average of 115 people per day! One every 13 minutes. 3,394,000 Injured Cost to us…..$150 Billion Dollars (at least)

Causes of Fatalities in Crashes. 40% of fatalities are alcohol related 29% of fatalities are speed related 28% of occupant fatalities were ejected from vehicle 60% of occupant fatalities were unrestrained Teenagers are 4X and elderly are 9X more likely to be in fatal crash

Let’s look at some ambulance statistics………….. There are approximately 15,000 ambulance crashes in the US every year! There are 10 serious injuries and one fatal accident each week! In New York State they injure 2 people per day in ambulance injury accidents USA USA Today April 2002

Odds stacked against us! You are 13 times more likely to be involved in an accident than other vehicles based on number of accidents per miles driven. 5 times more likely to be involved in an injury accident

Compare to other Emergency Vehicles 0.47% of ground ambulance accidents resulted in a fatality. Compared with 0.39% for Fire and 0.32% for police. 5.2% fatal injuries per 1000 accidents for ambulances. 4.8% for Fire and 3.49% for police. 36% injury accidents for ambulance, 18% for fire and 32% for police. (NSC)

So who dies in these wrecks? 25% of the deaths were occupants of ambulance Only 3% were the driver 22% were passengers 66% were other vehicle occupants 8% were non-motorists

What does this cost the industry? Lost lives, both employees and public Lost vehicles, supplies, equipment, time Lost revenue Lawsuits Lost trust from public Resulting in reduced call volume More

So How Do We Help Minimize Crashes? Awareness Road Conditions Vehicle performance Traffic factors Preparation Routes Maintenance Physically fit Good Judgment Code 1, or Code 2, or Code 3 Know your limits

And that is why we need to take this class! Any Questions? /gregglander/cars&radios/

Lab Schedule? Let’s set up the lab so we can get the most out of it! Tuesday Afternoons 3 sessions Thursday Afternoon 3 sessions 4 people per session 2 driving and 2 observing

Sample Lab Schedule Tuesday people people people Later Arriving People will observe for 10 minutes so they know what we are doing that day.

Dispatch Lab One lab session will be at NorCom in Woodburn Meet at Woodburn City Hall at 1400 on assigned lab day Usually a two hour meeting Essential part of class