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EMS Barriers in the Volunteer Department
We've all heard of the "barriers of care" that we sometimes face as FF/EMT's whether it be a powerpole, a car dangling off a bridge with passengers inside or even dogs in the yard of a patient's home. but how about this one, now bare in mind that this scenario is just that. a scenario. period. (but i know how EMT's like our little scenarios, it makes you feel like your there haha)
tones go out and dispatch advises of a 70 year old female with chest pain and difficulty breathing. address 1234 west example street. time out 22:35. your hearts rushing, you jump in your POV, and running down the list of what your going to do when you get on scene. then you look up and realise the speed limit sign. and due to department regulations, you may not exceed the speed limit while responding to calls.
so forth and so on with the scenario...
here's some more background on the scenario (i know some of the more seasoned guys/gals on here are already gettin ready to start typin the "slam the speeders" response, so give me time) its a very rural community, and the nearest definitive care is at least 20 mins away, and might i mention that the nearest EMS service that transports is about the same distance? the senior officers on the department are allowed to run lights and sirens on their POV's. the rest of us aren't. ok, I have NO problem with that. here's where we run into a small issue. none of our EMT's are senior officers. hence why in the scenario you did not run lights and sirens. as history has it at our department, EMS (i'm southern cut me a break) used to could run the gum ball machines on their vehicles according to the by-laws. our current by-laws state NOTHING about EMS.
So now that i've explained where we (our EMS side of our department) sit, I'll now ask for your input, and yes, even the "slam the speeder remarks" ha.
1. How would you go about finding out what happened to the section referencing the EMS?
2. How would you propose to address the issue to the department?
tones go out and dispatch advises of a 70 year old female with chest pain and difficulty breathing. address 1234 west example street. time out 22:35. your hearts rushing, you jump in your POV, and running down the list of what your going to do when you get on scene. then you look up and realise the speed limit sign. and due to department regulations, you may not exceed the speed limit while responding to calls.
so forth and so on with the scenario...
here's some more background on the scenario (i know some of the more seasoned guys/gals on here are already gettin ready to start typin the "slam the speeders" response, so give me time) its a very rural community, and the nearest definitive care is at least 20 mins away, and might i mention that the nearest EMS service that transports is about the same distance? the senior officers on the department are allowed to run lights and sirens on their POV's. the rest of us aren't. ok, I have NO problem with that. here's where we run into a small issue. none of our EMT's are senior officers. hence why in the scenario you did not run lights and sirens. as history has it at our department, EMS (i'm southern cut me a break) used to could run the gum ball machines on their vehicles according to the by-laws. our current by-laws state NOTHING about EMS.
So now that i've explained where we (our EMS side of our department) sit, I'll now ask for your input, and yes, even the "slam the speeder remarks" ha.
1. How would you go about finding out what happened to the section referencing the EMS?
2. How would you propose to address the issue to the department?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
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I would say depends on the speed you are talking about. I typically travel 5 mph over posted all the time and on a call typically 10 over posted with 4 ways going. Here in our coverage area we have 2 people with lights and siren ( we do have them on trucks but that's a given...or should be). It really don't seem to hurt response times not having them so it's really no big loss not having them, at least as far as my area goes. But if you feel you need to go faster than 10-15 over posted then you need them and if they will help you in your coverage area bring it to your Chief.
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Permalink Reply by Chief Dino on
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Here's the thing about speed
It takes 2 min to travel a mile at 30 mph
1 1/2 min @ 45 mph
1 min @ 60 mph
55 sec @ 70 mph
52.5 sec @ 75 mph
50 sec @ 80 mph and
45 sec @ 90 mph
You don't gain very much time in exceeding the speed limit. All it does is decrease your response time. You're travelling 88 feet/sec at 60 mph. My response house to station is just under five miles, speed limit is 65 mph. If I do five miles over the speed limit, I'll get there 12 seconds faster. Never had the Chief say to me, "If you were only here a few seconds ago. . ." All lights on your POV do is let others know you're coming and even then it's no guarantee that the civilian in front of you is going to respond properly. If the section in your bylaws regardign EMS using lights was taken out of the bylaws, I'd imagine it was for a good reason. Your department's minutes should give the reason. If we want to change something in the bylaws at our dept, we have to submit the change in writing at the monthly business meeting. Your department likely has a similar procedure.
Shawn
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Michael,
If you're traveling above the speed limit in your POV with your 4 ways on you're asking for trouble for you and your department. Running the flashers doesn't give you the authority to exceed posted speed limits.
Shawn
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Hear, Hear.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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I would check with your Chief and see what he/she has to say. In addition, the local PD or Sheriff's Office might be able to explain the law according to your State's vehicle code. That being said, I also think that Chief Dino & Ralph Carr posted some good info/food for thought. Hope this helps, stay safe!
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