Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
Extrication SOP question from an EMS "dipchit"
Is it common pratice to have a line pulled and maybe even charged at a MVC?
I ask the question tongue in cheek. In my last 2 years back in EMS, I have run on several MVC`s with a particular local FD. They are the self proclaimed "best FD in the region". They happen to cover the city in which I live. In each MVC that I have worked with this FD on scene, I have yet to see a line even pulled off an engine. I`m not talking about the little fender bender, someone stopped at a red light and the guy behind didn`t. I`m talking tool jobs. A SUV asspacks a Ranger at 65 MPH and sends it into the woods 30 yards. Head-on at highway speed. Antifreeze, tranny fluid, gasoline all over the road.....You know.."that" kind of MVC. Jobs where the FD is cutting the roof off or the rollover into a ditch......
Is it common SOP to at least pull a line? Maybe even charge that line? I have run with several other departments in the region, all have pulled a line before the IC lets us approach the vehicles that are crashed. Maybe my local FD knows something the others don`t. They are afterall, the BEST in the region. Just ask them.
Now, I fault command for my tongue in cheek question. To the man, the guys are great. When we have called for assists from this FD, they guys again are fantastic. The ones that show up, the ones that seem to "be better than everyone else" only show up at fires. As an orginazation, it treats EMS or rescue/EMS in general as idiots. Many many times I have witnessed NON medically trained personell tending to patients in cars while we are told to stand back. Yes, we have full PPE.
From what I have read, a line is called for in the situations I explained. Am I wrong here? It`s MY ass there on the road exposed to the hazzards. Not only mine, my PATIENT`S as well.
I know I`m just pissing up a tree here, Nothing I can do to fix my concerns. Any ideas?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clay Matthews on -
When ever tools are out and in action,hose is on the ground and charged. No questions.Line is charged and manned untill the wrecker has the car or cars loaded and on the road.
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Permalink Reply by Chris on -
Over here Standing Orders for MVA rescue state a 38mm line must be pulled and charged to 400kpa with a FF in full structural PPE, including SCBA to be standing by on the branch. If the line is opened it is to be charged to 800kpa immediatley and the FF on the line is to protect the crew / patient, generally while someone else pulls the hose reel to extinguish the fire. We are primary rescue, and I have been to many MVA's, never seen one alight but you can never be too careful when you have crew / parramedics / casualtys inside a wreck, the day the line is not pulled and charged will be the day all hell breaks loose and someone will get burned.
Cheers, Chris
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