Life in EMS

When you are fresh out of EMT class, you passed your National Registry tests, you get hired at a company and you are excited about finally being able to work the road. One of the most exciting things for all new EMT’s is the thought of running lights and sirens to a real life emergency call. There’s just something about it. Your blood starts pumping! Adrenalin is rushing through your body! You get all excited and nervous at the same time. The problem is, people really don’t understand the dangers of it.

                                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkLbG-n6_ic

Even though everyone is taught what Due Regard is within the first couple of weeks of EMT school, it seems to go in one ear and out the other. Due Regard is the responsibility of the driver of the ambulance to maintain safe operation of the vehicle at all times. Even before you drive an emergency vehicle, you have to take a safety class. Depending on your company, either EVOC (emergency vehicle operator’s course) or CEVO (coaching the emergency vehicle operator) are required before you can operate and emergency vehicle. 

When driving lights and sirens, the policy at my ambulance company, is no more than 10 mph over the speed limit. You still have to obey stop signs and traffic signals. The passenger focuses on other traffic and clears all intersections for safe passage. It’s all fun and games until you get into an accident. You can do everything right while driving lights and sirens and still get into an accident. People just don’t care that you are an emergency vehicle. People always pull out in front of you. People always try to beat you through the light, and people just don’t pay attention. I have had many close calls in my career, but so far I have been very fortunate. I can’t say the same for everyone else though.

I have had to respond to ambulance vs. car accidents in the past. Your heart drops when you hear another crew over the radio saying they were involved in an MVA. At that point, it doesn’t matter what patch is on your shoulder, on the road, we are all family. It’s a tough to think that you are out there trying to save a life and it could end yours. Nationwide statistics show that almost 60% of accidents with ambulances are while driving lights and sirens. Doesn’t seem that exciting any more, does it?