Got Chewed Out For Going Too Slow

[Asysin2leads]

see here in kansas we can only respond 10-37 which is no lights no sirens or 10-39 responding lights and sirens. as per state law ems units can only respond 10-39. responding with only the lights on causes too many traffic problems.

This is why we don't listen to bureaucrats. What kind of traffic problems are we causing if we are tooling down the interstate with the lights on but no sirens at 3 a.m. exactly?

[fallout]

It is standard policy in my area to respond emergency traffic to any call except public assists.

Given the dense nature of our streets and the dense nature of housing, we tend to run lights only and just be vigilant about clearing intersections. We use the siren as conditions dictate, usually to get on the few main thoroughfares in town or when there is heavy traffic.

Regarding slow driving, I've only known one person to get talked to about it, but it was somewhat warranted. They were going 30 mph in a 50 mph zone, no real traffic congestion while a multi-system trauma was exsanguinating.

In regards to emergency traffic, it is reserved for strictly time-critical scenarios such as MI, CVA, any life-threatening surgical case or any situation where the is genuine loss of quality of life (or loss of life) for not receiving rapid intervention on the level of a hospital. The emphasis, however, is on getting there in one piece without throwing people around in the back. I don't really see emergency driving as screaming to the ER risking life and limb, as some at EMTCity describe it. It is a technique of driving, that with experience and training, can be done safely.

[NREMT-Basic]

We actually try to avoid police escorts around here unless the patient belongs more to the police than he does to us. What we have found is that if you have to emergency vehicles--squad car and ambulance---running with the same siren patterns, its easy for people not to really recognize that both are there. If different sirens are used, it creates a great deal of confusion and i have been in one situation where traffic got all gummed up because the LEO stops in the intersection and traffic think he is trying to get through, then we come along and they are all in the way. We almost never do this here unless the patient, as I say, is going to need to be seen by the police while in hospital and usually then, the LEO rides along with us. I find police escorts just complicate things...we have lights and sirens and have a few guys that actually know when and where they should be used and when they shouldnt. No need for second set.

[Dustdevil]

Plus 15 to NREMT-Basic for three excellent, on the money posts.

Your partner is a tool. He is a prime example of why EMS lacks respect and few recognise it as a profession.

Plus 5 to ERDoc for spelling recognise with an S.

[Michael]

Duzt, whence your penchant for British zpelling?

[Dustdevil]

It's not British!!! :x

It's South African!

[Michael]

Duzt, whence your penchant for Zouth African zpelling?

[Dustdevil]

From my family. I myself am only second-generation American, and refuse to assimilate.

Minus 5 for not using the search function. :wink:

[Michael]

I myself am only second-generation American, and refuse

Dust, you've been called many things here, but please, please don't call yourself refuse, on ethnic or any other grounds. Have some self-respect; you're as good as anyone else.

Minus 5 for not using the search function

Never heard of it.

[OzMedic]

It's not British!!! :x

It's South African!

Dust, Plus 5 for s instead of z

Plus 5 for not being British, at least South Africa can sort of play cricket and are ok at rugby. I love the english language even though I display a poor grasp of it at times. Here is one of my favourites......

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana"!