Hughes County EMS is a taxpayer supported 522 District under the auspices of the Hughes County Commissioners. That's just a fancy way of saying that, you the Hughes County residing property owner is the owner of Hughes County EMS. The County Commissioners appoint Board of Trustee members who oversee the financial and operational status of the agency.

2. Why do ambulances sometimes run red lights and sirens to a call, but not back to the hospital?

Because of advancements in pre-hospital care, it is no longer necessary to rush back to the hospital in all cases. While all patient's are important, some are more critical than others. Hughes County EMS paramedics are in contact with the emergency room staff, and may perform many procedures, and administer medications as needed, before arrival at the hospital there by reserving lights and sirens to a hospital for only the most critical of patient's.

In addition, some studies have shown that running with red lights and sirens may increase the risk of the ambulance being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

3. Why do I occasionally see ambulances sitting on the side of the road?

Hughes County is a large county in Oklahoma. Because of this, when one of our satellite-stationed ambulances respond to a call, we frequently rotate another ambulance to that part of the county. This helps us to more rapidly respond if a second emergency call comes in from that community.

4. Just what do paramedics do in the back of the ambulance?

Pre-hospital medicine has come a long ways since the 1970’s and 80’s. Paramedics can now stabilize more patients in the field, including administering medications, assisting a patient to breathe, starting an IV, and faxing an EKG to the emergency room doctor, all before the ambulance even leaves your driveway!

5. What do the initials “EMT” stand for?

Emergency Medical Technician

6. Are all EMT’s “Paramedics?”

No. The Paramedic level is at the top of the pre-hospital pyramid in Oklahoma. There are four levels recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Health – Emergency Systems Division in Oklahoma. The First level is the Emergency Medical Responder, followed by the EMT, the Advanced EMT, and then the Paramedic at the top of the pyramid.

7. Why do ambulances sometimes seem to sit on scene so long before transporting the patient to the hospital?

Because of advances in pre-hospital care, some patients may benefit from additional time taken at the scene to stabilize before transport. An example may be someone having a heart attack, breathing problems, etc. Hughes County EMS paramedics are in contact with the emergency room staff, and may perform many procedures and administer medications as needed, before arrival at the hospital.

8. Why can’t family members ride in the ambulance?

The need for safety and patient care is a major concern for us. The limited space in the back of our ambulance, as well as the number of seatbelts, only allow for the patient and the EMT in most situations. Usually the family member will be asked to ride in the front cab of the ambulance only if the patient is a minor, with the seat belt in place.

9. Why have I sometimes seen an ambulance, with the red lights and sirens on, go through an intersection, and then suddenly they turn off the lights and sirens, and just pull into a parking lot to turn around?

Because of the need to respond to emergencies in a rapid and efficient manner, we dispatch an ambulance as soon as we get the call. Sometimes even we have a call that over the phone seems like it might require multiple ambulances. On occasion though, the person calling for the ambulance may change his or her mind, and cancel the ambulance and if we dispatched multiple units, the first arriving unit may cancel the other responding units. When the call is cancelled, the EMT’s on the ambulance will immediately turn off the lights and siren as this is safer.

10. What does the “Star of Life” mean that I see on the EMT uniforms?

Each leg of the star has a meaning.

Detection
Reporting
Response
On scene care
Care in transit
Transfer to definitive care

11. Why is the word “AMBULANCE” spelled backwards on the front of the ambulance?

This is done so that when an ambulance is approaching you from behind, and you look in your car’s rear view mirror, it will be spelled correctly.

12. What should I do if I’m in my car and I see an ambulance, with lights and sirens on, behind me?

Pull safely to the right, and come to a complete stop.

13. How do I transfer my out-of-state EMT license to the State of Oklahoma?

To apply for reciprocity in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health – Emergency Systems Division, at (405) 271-4027 or check the website at www.ok.gov/health/Protective_Health/Emergency_Medical_Services/

14. How do I renew my EMT license in the State of Oklahoma?

Click on the link provided and it will take you to the Oklahoma State Department of Health – Emergency Systems Division’s web site for more information on renewal. www.ok.gov/health/Protective_Health/Emergency_Medical_Services/

15. When I call for an ambulance, why does the dispatcher ask so many questions?

Our goal at Hughes County EMS is to provide a zero response time on all emergency calls. By asking these pertinent questions, the dispatcher not only provides the responding paramedics with critical information to help them prepare for proper patient care, it also gives the dispatcher needed information to begin patient care, in the form of pre-arrival instructions, while you are still on the phone.

16. How do I become an Emergency Medical Responder or EMT in Oklahoma?

To become an Emergency Medical Responder or EMT in Oklahoma, you must first take an EMR or EMT course at an area Vocational Technology Center

17. How do I make my home and family safer?

This could be a very long answer.... which is good. There are so many things we all can do to improve safety. A few examples are: learn CPR, get a fire extinguisher and become familiar with the proper techniques for use, Make a fire exit plan for your home (and practice exit drills!), know at least two ways out, have a safe exit from a two story house, have a safe meeting place outside. Learn first aid. There are so many more, .... please contact us for more information.

18. Where can I find the Hughes County EMS Admin office?

The admin office is located at 114 North Oak Street in Holdenville. The admin office is facing Oak and is right next to Pat's Cafe.

19. How many EMS Stations are there in Hughes County?

Hughes County EMS operates 3 stations 24/7/365

20. Where can I find the Hughes County EMS Stations?

Please Note - the stations are closed to the public as these are medic living quarters.

Station 1 is located at 116 N. Oak Street in Holdenville, right next to the admin offices. at the corner of Oak and Seventh
Station 2 is located at 400 E. Grand Street in Wetumka at the corner of Grand and Okmulgee
Station 3 is Located at 312 3rd Street in Calvin right next to the city barn

21. What kind of calls does Hughes County EMS Run

Hughes County EMS responds to all Medical Emergencies, Vehicle Accidents, Traumatic Injuries, House Fires, Hospital Transfers and many other incidents in which our services are needed!

22. What kind of information should I give the call taker when I call 9-1-1?

What type of emergency do you have, the location of the emergency, .... Try to keep it short, but remember stay on the line until the call taker says you can hang up. Remember, stay calm! If we can't understand you, .... we can't help you.

23. Why does a fire truck or cop car show up when I call 9-1-1 for an ambulance?

There are more fire apparatus' and law enforcement vehicles than ambulances in Hughes County, and they are more strategically placed. Each fire engine is equipped and staffed for first aid emergencies, therefore, dispatching a fire engine ensures a quick response for emergency care. Most of the Fire Departments in Hughes County are volunteer, and our thanks goes out to the caring individuals that give themselves to help our communities on a daily basis.

24. Why do you do this job?

The simple answer would be to save lives, but that would not nearly encompass the true depth of our job. A better explanation would be to say that we are here to better the lives of our fellow citizens. To be there in your time of greatest need, and to provide a helping hand, comforting care, and a smile on what may be the worst day of your life. If we can make that day better in any way, whether that be saving the life of a loved one, or giving out a blanket, then we have accomplished our goal.

25. Have you ever saved someone?

A simple answer would be yes!

But it takes a tremendous amount of training and practice to become confident and proficient in life saving. Saving a life is something that many people never get to experience. It is a wonderful, fulfilling, and life changing experience for a person who is involved in saving a life or assisting in delivering a new born into the world.

26. How many ambulances does HCEMS own?

HCEMS owns 5 ambulances

27. What is the most common type of emergency?

Emergencies range in type and severity and can happen to anyone. HCEMS responds to many breathing and cardiac problem calls, motor vehicle collisions and other trauma calls, and much more.

28. How fast is HCEMS required to respond?

All HCEMS ambulances are required to be enroute to every call within 1 minute during the day and 3 minutes at night.

In Calvin, Holdenville, and Wetumka HCEMS is required to be on scene to Priority 1 calls within 8 minutes and 59 seconds 90% of the time. For Priority 2 calls, HCEMS is required to be on scene within 10 minutes and 59 seconds 90% of the time.

For all other rural areas, HCEMS must be on scene to Priority 1 calls within 18 minutes and 59 seconds 90% of the time, and 28 minutes and 59 seconds 90% of the time for Priority 2 calls.

For all non emergency interfacility transfers, HCEMS is required to be on scene within 60 minutes. For all Emergent Interfacility transfers for Holdenville General Hospital, HCEMS is required to be on scene within 30 minutes.

Priority 1 calls are critical situations, such as heart attacks, strokes, drownings and traumatic motor vehicle collisions.

Priority 2 calls are non-life-threatening situations such as, falls, broken limbs and minor injury motor vehicle collisions.

29. Why is the ambulance driving so slowly?

Often times when the ambulance is driving slowly it means that the Paramedic is in the patient compartment providing patient care while the EMT drives to the hospital. Driving too fast can be detrimental to the patient and the crew.

30. Why does HCEMS do CPR on scene but not transport to the hospital?

In cardiac arrest (where the heart stops beating) HCEMS paramedics provide the EXACT same treatment at the hospital. Numerous studies show that we have a better chance at getting the heart restarted by doing everything on scene instead of loading and rushing to the hospital. HCEMS paramedics will "work the code" as we call it, for 20 minutes or more in the hopes of getting a heart beat back or for the heart to show some form of improvement. When that happens the medics will transport. If it doesn't the medics will "work the code" to completion.

31. How much does an ambulance cost?

A new ambulance cost over $180,000.00 delivered with no medical supplies. Add a stretcher at $24,000.00; stretcher loading system $12,000.00; Stair-chair $6,000.00; Cardiac Monitor $38,000.00; 2 IV Pumps $8,000.00, Ventilator $18,000.00, IO Drill: $1,000.00,;Video Laryngoscope $1,200.00; Doppler $1,000.00; disposable and miscellaneous medical equipment and gear and you can see where a new ambulance quickly surges above $600,000.00 dollars.

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