1. Safety at the Medical or Rescue Emergency 6-1 Chapter 6

2. Learning Objectives Discuss the hazards faced by responders at emergency medical or rescue incidents. Explain methods of minimizing and preventing injuries associated with hazards found at emergency medical incidents. List various requirements and uses of commonly used personal protective equipment. Cont. 6-2

3. Learning Objectives Explain the requirements for infection control. Discuss procedures that can be used to meet the requirements of infection control. Discuss the systems used for scene accountability and incident management. 6-3

4. Introduction This chapter focuses on the type of incidents that most responders face most of the time Not uncommon to find rural, suburban, and urban departments involved in EMS EMS safety is a critical and integral part of any department’s safety and health program Information presented in the chapter relates to Life Safety Initiatives 11 and 12 6-4

5. Hazards Faced by Responders General hazards for all EMS incidents –Four phases 1.Gaining access 2.Approach and first contact with the patient 3.Providing care 4.Packaging and placement in unit Cont. 6-5

6. Hazards Faced by Responders Vehicle accidents Incidents on roadways General safety principles 6-6

7. Infection Control 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic Must understand –Dose –Virulence –Host resistance –Route of exposure –Means of transmission 6-7

8. Personal Protective Equipment EMS PPE vs. Firefighting PPE Body substance isolation (BSI) The right PPE for the task Universal precautions 6-8

9. PPE Matrix 6-9

10. Incident Management Systems Senior EMS responder assumes many of the roles in the command staff One common factor is the Incident Safety Officer Components Elements at EMS incidents –IMS structure –Accountability 6-10

11. PPE 6-11

12. Example Expanded EMS IMS 6-12

13. Summary EMS emergencies comprise the highest percentage of incidents Hazards are increased by uncertainties and need to interact closely with patients Anticipate hazards of vehicle incidents with training Utilize law enforcement Infection control is important Engineering, education, and PPE are three requirements essential to the safety program 6-13