PULSE Magazine | June/July 2019 Issue

Safety Division

19%

25%

52%

Oji due to body movement

Oji Exposures occur Back of unit

Oji caused by Combative patient

59%

30%

Preventable Fleet Collision

Preventable hours between 1400-1800

ATCEMS FY19

All percentages are for FY19 Quarter 1, 2, & 3

Fleet Collisions

1. 59% of our total collisions have been preventable by the driver.

2. 22% of our preventable collisions are due to spatial awareness on the right side of the unit.

3. 12% of our preventable collisions are due to pivot point errors.

4. 8% of our preventable collisions are due to backing skill errors.

5. 30% of our preventable collisions happen between the hours of 1400-1800.

6. 27% of our preventable collisions occur on Friday

Driving Pearls

 To avoid following too closely, allow yourself at least 3-4 seconds following distance in good condi- tions, more if weather and road conditions are less than optimum.  A vehicle’s Total Stopping Distance is the combination of perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance. As a reminder, our ambulances weigh 4 to 5 times more than the average passenger car or mid-sized SUV and they take longer and further to stop. “Recalibrate” your needed stopping distance to allow for the heavier ambulance when on the job.  When backing or maneuvering on a scene, you may need more than one backer just because of sce- ne circumstances. Don’t hesitate to enlist the aid of firefighters or police officers to act as a ground guide / backer. Some of our backing collisions could have been prevented by use of a second back- er / ground guide.  When backing, don’t forget to think about the front end of the unit. When turning and backing, the front end will swing and can easily strike objects.

 Drivers, do a 360° walk around of your ambulance, before getting in the drivers seat.

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