Emergency Medical Services Role in Traffic Incident Management

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)Role in Highway Scene Management

1Proper Routing to IncidentBe familiar with the service area.Be proficient in the use of navigational equipment.Anticipate the need for alternative routes.

Image placeholder; GPS mobile mappingProper routing to an incidentBe familiar with the service area: Whether a responder is someone who has lived in the area all their life or has recently began working in the area, they should put forth the extra effort to learn the area. This can decrease the response time to incidents. Be proficient in the use of navigational aids: All emergency response vehicles have map books available for use. Many also have electronic mapping and GPS tracking. Training should be conducted with new members when they are on boarding or all members if new devices are going to be used. With the use of GPS, Tele communicators are a great resource. They are able to watch where the unit is and guide them to a call. Anticipate the need for alternative routes: Part of being familiar with your response area is being able to predict when an alternate route may be needed and knowing the proper way to get to the alternate route. Again, Telecommunicators are an excellent resource. With the increasing use of traffic cameras, they may be able to see that the primary route is not accessible and can aid in recommending alternative routing.

2Responder SafetyBe familiar with the proper set-up, staging and removal of emergency responders at the incidentKnow the proper use of Personal Protective EquipmentSpeak up to correct unsafe conditions

Image placeholder: Medic3 cropResponder safetyBe familiar with the proper set up, staging and removal of emergency resources at the scene: When arriving on a scene, EMS should park according to the recommended traffic incident management parking order. This is accomplished through training of all members of the agency to be proficient with the proper parking order to maximize safety. Know the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment: This encompasses the use of reflective markings and lighting on the responding vehicle, wearing the proper reflective outer wear as mandated by Federal Standards, and for EMS, also wearing proper biohazard PPE. Speak up to correct unsafe conditions: Everyone on a scene is responsible for safety. If you see an unsafe condition, it is your responsibility to report it to the Safety Officer or Incident Commander.

3Integration into the Incident Command StructureHave a working knowledge of ICS principlesBe able to work within a Unified Command structure, including serving as Incident CommandUse of effective communications among multiple agencies

Image placeholderIntegration into the Incident Command StructureHave a working knowledge of ICS principles: All EMS responders should have a minimum ICS training of ICS 100, 200 and 700. Be able to work within a Unified Command structure, to include serving as Incident Command: As an emergency responder, there always exists the possibility of you being the first person to arrive on scene. Be familiar with the ICS use of Unified Command so that as other responders from other agencies and resources arrive, a Unified Command can be established early into the incident. As higher ranking or more experienced responders from your discipline arrive, command can be transferred after a proper report has been given.Use effective communication among multiple agencies: As more agencies become involved in an incident, the use of plain English provides better communication than Ten codes or department specific jargon.4Triage, Treatment and Transport of Incident VictimsPerform a scene size-up and need for additional resources, including air medical supportDetermine the severity of injuries, patient prioritization, transport needs and destinationsProvide proper medical care to patient(s), often under stressful or dangerous circumstancesProvide notification to emergency department(s)

Image placeholder: Medic2Triage, Treatment and Transport of Incident VictimsPerform scene size up and need for additional resources, including Air Medical support: A quick scene size up, communicated over the radio, allows other responders or agencies to anticipate what they are responding to and what resources they may need. It is better to request the higher number of resources that you think you might need. It is easier to cancel resources not needed than be behind the eight ball waiting for needed resources. If air medical support is anticipated, it should also be requested early. A landing zone will need to be established and a decision made whether to land near the scene or at a designated landing zone off the roadway.Determine the severity of injuries, patient prioritization, transportation needs and destinations: This is when basic triage of the patient(s) is performed to determine severity of injuries, will transport be emergent or non-emergent and what emergency department will the patient be transported to. Sometimes this will be the patients choice, law enforcements choice or can be dictated by the patients injuries and where protocol designates transport. Also, notify Law Enforcement of where the patient(s) are going to be transported. Provide proper emergency medical care to patient(s), often under stressful or dangerous circumstances: Provide the appropriate medical care to the level that you are certified. Sometimes that may be to a patient that is still in a vehicle with extrication being performed around you. The list of situations that a patient made be found in and be treated in is too long to list here. Provide notifications to emergency department(s): If the scene is an MCI, the emergency department needs to be notified to advise if they can take all of the patients or if they need to be distributed to other hospitals. This also allows the ED to bring in the resources they need. For lesser amounts of patients, the ED should be notified per your standard procedure.

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