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Ambulance Operations
Temple CollegeEMS Professions
Emergency Vehicle Laws The driver of an authorized emergency
vehicle may: Park or stand irrespective of the provisions of
this chapter; Proceed past a red light or stop signal, but
only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property
Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
Emergency Vehicle Laws The exemptions herein granted to
an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of this Act.
Emergency Vehicle Laws The foregoing provisions shall not
relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
Driving Excellence
Good Driving Basics Wear seat belts Practice; Become familiar with:
Acceleration Deceleration Braking Cornering Fender and bumper clearance
Good Driving Basics Hand position
9-3 o’clock positions One hand pulls; the other slides Neither hand should pass 6 o’clock
Keep to the left (other traffic should be to the right)
Never rely on what another motorist will do
Maintaining Control Braking
Pump brakes slowly, smoothly NEVER brake on curve Brake going into curves; accelerate
moving out of them
Maintaining Control Railroads
Plan alternate routes for grade crossings
Wait out long trains if there is no over or underpass in a reasonable distance
Maintaining Control School buses
There is NO emergency vehicle exemption from laws pertaining to school buses
If red lights are flashing, stop and wait until driver motions you on.
Maintaining Control Bridges and Tunnels
Ability to pass may be limited Consider alternative routes if traffic is
heavy Be sure height roadway will
accommodate ambulance
Maintaining Control Traffic Patterns
Learn traffic flow patterns in your area based on time of day, day of week, locations
Plan for alternative routes through or past specific problem areas
Maintaining Control Road Surface
Pay attention to irregularities in road surface (bumps, potholes)
Inner lanes of multi-lane highways usually are smoothest
Maintaining Control Hydroplaning
Occurs on wet roads at speeds >35mph Water causes loss of contact between
tire and road surface If you can’t see tread marks of car
ahead of you in water on highway, there is risk of hydroplaning
Slow down; lightly tap brakes to ensure dryness
Maintaining Control Backing Up
ALWAYS have someone spot for driver while ambulance is backing
Move slowly, carefully
Maintaining Control Escorts
Extremely dangerous Use only when unfamiliar with location
of patient or hospital Allow safe distance between escort
vehicle and ambulance
Intersection Collisions Most common form of ambulance collision Causes:
Other drivers “timing” lights Emergency vehicles following each other Multiple emergency vehicles converging on
same location Motorists going around stopped traffic Vision of pedestrians in crosswalk obstructed
by other vehicles
Intersection Collisions
Slow down at intersections.Ensure other drivers have seen you and stopped before you proceed.
Warning Devices
Warning Lights Use at all times when responding to
emergency calls Also, turn on headlights during
daylight hours Use minimal lighting in heavy fog or
when parked
Siren Relatively ineffective Never pull directly behind a car and
blast your siren Sirens may affect patients adversely Sirens may cause driver to speed
excessively or to take risks
Give other drivers time to notice, react to warning devices.