Why EMS needs more protection on roadway incidents
Roadways are the most dangerous scene types for EMS providers and require increased safety measures from hazardous exposure to minimize death and serious injury of public safety personnel.
We regularly share news stories of fire apparatus struck while attending a motor vehicle collision, EMS providers struck while tending to a patient and police officers killed after stopping a speeding driver or checking on a disabled vehicle.
In late October, a medical helicopter was struck and tipped over in New Mexico by an intoxicated driver who drove around barricades meant to block traffic. The reckless driver also hit a fire truck. No injuries were reported, but we don't know the impact of the transport delay on the patient's outcome. We also don't know the potential impact of traumatic stress on the EMS and fire personnel who were in the midst of caring for a patient when a out-of-control vehicle plowed into their scene.
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