Reckless EMSA

[sgrizzle]

Today in the dark, in the rain, children in tow I almost got in an accident as cars were going everywhere dodging a big vehicle going south in a northbound lane. I usually assume a drunk, but this time it was an ambulance with no emergency lights on.

I tried to call EMSA but they aren't in the phone book as far as I can find.

What the heck?

[ky]

[]I have only seen that a couple of times and its usually when they have a patient in the ambulance that is not critical or the patient is deceased and they are transporting to the hospital to be pronounced deceased. I think they should have to do something to let you know that they are on a run. You can always call 911 and tell them its a non emergancy and they can give you the main number to call for administrative offices.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by ky

[]I have only seen that a couple of times and its usually when they have a patient in the ambulance that is not critical or the patient is deceased and they are transporting to the hospital to be pronounced deceased. I think they should have to do something to let you know that they are on a run. You can always call 911 and tell them its a non emergancy and they can give you the main number to call for administrative offices.

Yeah but in non-emergency cases they shouldn't cross lanes and drive into oncoming traffic.

I found a number but their offices were closed. I sent them an email.

[Rowdy]

Saw this too about a week ago at 71st and Memorial heading South.  Sirens were wailing but no lights.

[Mike G]

quote:Originally posted by ky

[]...or the patient is deceased and they are transporting to the hospital to be pronounced deceased.

Just FYI, we don't transport anyone to be pronounced dead, we are allowed to call them ourselves on-scene.  The only time we would be transporting anything like that would be a post cardiac arrest that didn't make it enroute to the hospital, in which case we continue running lights and sirens to the hospital and they are called there.

On the note of opposing traffic without lights and sirens, this is not allowed anywhere in our policy, especially if it's just normal non-emergency driving.  Granted sometimes you might see an ambulance leaving a scene in the wrong direction without lights/sirens, but that should only be if the lane(s) are closed.

Just to help everyone out, if this were to happen again, get the truck number (located on the rear and sides of the box) and approx time of day and location of the incident and I believe you can call 596-3100 any time of the day and get someone.

[ky]

[8D]That seems like the correct way to handle this matter because it would be very tragic if someone was to get killed by an emergancy vehichle coming with no sirens. If by calling the number and you dont get the response you want or answers you need for everyones saftey you can always contact channel 2 works for you, or fox 23 news they love stories like this.

[Rowdy]

quote:Originally posted by Mike G

quote:Originally posted by ky

[]...or the patient is deceased and they are transporting to the hospital to be pronounced deceased.

Just FYI, we don't transport anyone to be pronounced dead, we are allowed to call them ourselves on-scene.  The only time we would be transporting anything like that would be a post cardiac arrest that didn't make it enroute to the hospital, in which case we continue running lights and sirens to the hospital and they are called there.

On the note of opposing traffic without lights and sirens, this is not allowed anywhere in our policy, especially if it's just normal non-emergency driving.  Granted sometimes you might see an ambulance leaving a scene in the wrong direction without lights/sirens, but that should only be if the lane(s) are closed.

Just to help everyone out, if this were to happen again, get the truck number (located on the rear and sides of the box) and approx time of day and location of the incident and I believe you can call 596-3100 any time of the day and get someone.

Thanks for the post Mike.