402 - Rescue Apparatus

401 - Rescue Apparatus

401.1 Rescue Ambulances

A rescue ambulance or an RA for short is primarily used for the delivery and transportation of injured persons to and from active scenes or the transportation of the sick or disabled. There are several variants and configurations of ambulances ranging from basic transportation to Advanced Life Support; Which can provide Advanced medical procedures to prolong the life expectancy of a victim. A Rescue Ambulance crew’s top priority is to ensure the safety of their patient first and then themselves. There's also an imperative to understand that rescue ambulances are not a blanket solution to any medical emergency as some vehicles are restricted or limited in their capabilities. An example of would be a BLS-trained crew attempting to handle an ALS-requiring patient. As such, Rescue Ambulances should be considered on where to go depending on the nature of an emergency. Rescue Ambulances can be identified by their identifying number on their rated capabilities. Any RA labeled with a 8## in a labeled designation is automatically rated at a Basic Life Support level. Any RA labeled without an eight present is assumed ALS supporting or has members capable of ALS procedures. Private EMS-ALS is designated as RA### (ALS). It is important to only utilize BLS apparatus for BLS calls as to not cause a circumstance of lacking resources.

List of Capabilities:

• RA8## - A Basic Life Support Rescue Ambulance rated only for BLS procedures. (I.E RA842)

• RA## - An Advanced Life Support Rescue Ambulance rated for ALS procedures. (I.E RA42)

• RA### - A Private EMS carrier, rated for BLS procedures OR ALS procedures. (Private EMS should always be assumed BLS unless told otherwise. I.E RA696)

• IFT-### - A Private Medical Transporation Carrier, these are not for Emergency Receiving and only handle to and from hospital transportation of patients. (I.E IFT-920)

401.2 Support Rescue Ambulances

Support Ambulances, or Support Vehicles; more directly the LSFD SOBER Unit, Nurse Practitioner, and Support-Utility are classified as Support Rescue Ambulances or SRAs. Support Vehicles primarily function as reserves for public events or when more members are needed to be present at special gatherings or events- or the reliance of part-time/local volunteers of a community and in a volunteer's case; are not paid typically unless for an unspecified reason. Volunteers typically hold an EMT-B certification or at the minimum basic first aid knowledge and should not be used in major disaster scenarios unless the situation is incredibly rough. However, it is up entirely to a Line Officer to determine if the circumstances are presently needed to deploy a Support Vehicle- as these vehicles can provide a multitude of benefits ranging from the following:

• SU## - Volunteers may be staffed by any server member if given deployment permissions by a Captain+.

• SR## - May be staffed by any server member with medical knowledge if given deployment permissions by a EMS Captain+

• NP## - May be staffed by any fire member, with a medically knowledgeable server member (or Fire Member) taking the role as Nurse Practitioner.  if given deployment permissions by a EMS Captain+

List of capabilities of Volunteers:

• Provide basic-first aid to those in need.

• Operate as first-alert operators to inform where critical treatment is needed on-site.

• Provide Rehab services after overhaul on a scene.

401.3 Paramedic Squad / Rescue Squad

The paramedic squad is equipped to provide ALS (advanced life support) service by paramedic firefighters. The equipment and medications required for ALS are carried in secured compartments. Over-the-side ropes and rescue hardware allow the paramedics to assist patients who may be in inaccessible locations, such as a hiker who has fallen down a hillside. Wildland ALS packs allow the paramedics to accompany firefighters in brush fire operations to treat heat-related injuries, cardiac or other medical emergencies while far away from vehicles. The paramedic squad normally responds with an engine but is capable of working as a stand-alone unit providing ALS. Private ambulance companies handle the transportation of patients. 

Staffing: 

Two paramedic firefighters staff the paramedic squad. 

• At times, trainees or evaluators may accompany the paramedics.

Note: Only County Fire Departments possess Rescue Squads. City Fire Departments rely on paramedic-based Rescue Ambulances.

401.4 Advanced Aerial Rescue (AAR) 

AAR is the means of using a rotary, fixed wing, hill-surface rescue, or other means requiring advanced knowledge of winch deployments, aerial-basket deployment, or use of Para-Rescue (USAF Only). AAR is most likely, without a doubt the most common usage of AAR and should be expected to be used as such for multiple capacities if absolutely necessary.  

Deployment Criteria; 

• One Command Pilot 

• (Optional) One First Officer 

• Flight Paramedic (Must be ALS trained) 

• (Optional) Aircraft Crew Chief