Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clay Matthews on January 17, 2010 at 9:47am

You are right in my opinion. Because a diesel uses pressure instead of spark plugs to run. Not only that but it is better for the starter. It helps on fuel too. It takes more fuel to restart than it does leave running. A diesel is ment to run anyway. In the summer you can keep a unit cool in the cab and in the back of the wagon and like you said, keep it warm in the winter so you can help to make you and the patient as comfortable as possible.

Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on January 17, 2010 at 11:21am

I say leave them running but Its kinda one of those deals of how long your going to be, what the temperature is, and what your sogs say about it

Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on January 17, 2010 at 11:26am

In most cases, an often used, diesel powered emergency vehicle should be kept running, or at least run every few hours. The first reason is that "a failure to start problem" now doesn't exist and you're off and running to the scene. Other reasons include keeping the batteries charged when electrical power is needed during idling and keeping the engine near or at operating temperature. Most engine wear happens during it's warm up phase. Because a diesel engine needs compression for combustion, it's constuction is heavy duty, meaning it's cylinder walls are thick. That thickness absorbs more heat leading to cooler running temperatures and more time to reach optium heat levels which adds to engine wear, especailly in colder climates. Of course heath concerns from exhaust emisions should be considered also. TCSS

Permalink Reply by FETC on January 17, 2010 at 11:46am

Blair,

Can you lock your ambulance completely while it is left running at idle? Because people have been stealing ambulances not far from us... Not to mention the hospital will not allow them to remian running under the canopy. For once I would love to see a hiospital engineer a vent hood for the canopy that would suck up the exhaust and vent it up and through the roof.

We can't leave them running therefore, we shut them off and leave them under the canopy which is close to the door and in the view of the hospital security cameras, but all of our meds and IV stuff are in internal heated compartments. The temp in the cab is not a concern because your turnaround time should be short enough that the heat hasn't fully dissapated and the engine temperature is still up to have isn't heat for the crew on the next run.

But, we also do not stay at the hospital for EMS reporting, we use FH CAD reporting, and just make up and get dems so our turn-around time averages less than 15 minutes once siging off at the ER. We then fax the patient care report once we are back at the station.