EMS VEHICLES & THEIR USAGE

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles serve as mobile lifelines, delivering crucial medical care and transporting patients swiftly and safely to one of our three hospitals.  These vehicles have rules/regulations regarding their use, which are outlined in the EMS SOP all EMS Staff should familiarize themselves with the SOP regarding vehicle use. 

The EMS Team has access to the below-listed vehicles. The name of the vehicle, its suggested use (where this is not determined by the EMS SOP), and the rank requirement for use are noted next to the vehicle. 

ALL EMS STAFF MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVING LICENCE TO DRIVE EMS VEHICLES

RANK-BASED VEHICLE PERMISSIONS 

There are certain ranks associated with the vehicles that EMS has access to. EMS Staff members must be aware of which vehicles they can/cannot utilize depending on their current rank. 

Ambulance - Advanced EMT+ can withdraw ambulances from the garage and drive them (Unknown Ambulance & EMS Ambulance Bravado). EMTs MUST have FTO supervision to withdraw or drive ambulances. The FTO must accompany the EMT at all times while the vehicle is in use.  

Medical Cars & Trucks - The Marked Scout Vapid, the Marked Gresley Bravado, and the Marked Bison Bravado can be withdrawn by Advanced EMT+. The Marked Bison Bravado can be used for off-road calls; up Mount Chilad, in the woods surrounding the lumber mill, etc. as it has more ground traction than regular ambulances. The Marked Vapid Scout and the Marked Greasly Bravado should only be used to run EMS errands (Paramedic+), for transportation between hospitals (you must switch to an ambulance before transporting patients), and for events that have been approved by Command or High Command. 

NOTE: Higher-ranking EMS Staff members are allowed to respond to a scene when requested by lower-ranking EMS Staff members, or LEOs who have a valid reason to speak to a supervisor. The use of these medical cars and trucks would be allowed in such situations. 

Marked Buffalo STX Bravado - Also known as the fast car. This car travels at much higher speeds than other EMS vehicles, it is therefore very useful for transportation between one hospital and another. It is commonly used when a patient requests assistance at either Sandy Shore Hospital or Paleto Hospital and the EMS Staff member needs to quickly transition from one hospital to another. It is also used when a call is received near one of these locations and time would be saved driving to Sandy or Paleto in the fast car then transitioning to an ambulance to respond to the call and transport the patient. As a general rule; we do not transport patients using this car, this rule would only be waived in emergencies where the life of the patient would be put at risk were you to retrieve a more suitable vehicle.  

Helicopters - To withdraw and operate an Angel Flight Helicopter (Callsign Angel Flight 1), you must be ranked at least FTO+ and be legally licensed to operate a rotary-winged aircraft.  To request flight school within the Hospital, contact a member of the Command Team to discuss details. After completing this you will finish a check-up flight training with a Command Team member who will certify you to fly Angel 1.

DRIVING ETIQUETTE 

When driving an EMS vehicle within the state of San Andreas all EMS Staff members MUST follow the following rules/guidelines.

• Lights and sirens MUST be used by all EMS Staff members when responding to 911 calls, 10-69, and requests for EMS assistance from LEOs. 

• When transitioning between hospitals in emergencies (responding to requests for assistance at these hospitals) lights and sirens MUST be used.

• EMS Staff members can drive at speeds that exceed the posted speed limits while lights and sirens are on. 

• Stop signs and red lights can be ignored when lights and sirens are on.

• Drive safely, even when driving at speed; avoid distractions, pay attention to the road, etc.

• Slow down at intersections to avoid unnecessary collisions which put yourself and others in danger. 

• EMS Staff who are transitioning between hospitals in non-emergency situations are returning from calls without a patient, etc. Should drive their EMS vehicle following road traffic laws, lights and sirens should be off, speed limits obeyed, etc.

• EMS Staff on a non-emergency call, including ambulance patrol, picking up food orders, picking up EMS staff that had a Code 0, changing outfits, etc. should NOT use lights or sirens. If there is no emergency you must drive the speed limit and obey traffic laws. 

At all times, communication with team members is key. Accidents can happen, but communicate over the radio if you are involved in a crash, your vehicle has flipped, you need a repair kit, etc. If at any time you accidentally cause a crash or hit a civilian, make sure they are okay and do not need medical attention. Apologize to them, ask if you can help in any way, and offer onsite treatment if necessary.

Full guidelines/regulations regarding EMS vehicles can be found in the EMS SOP. If you have any questions about vehicles or their uses then please direct them to one of the FTO, Command, or High Command. 

DEPOSITS 

When withdrawing EMS Vehicles a deposit is charged to the EMS Staff member requesting the vehicle. When the vehicle is returned to the garage (the deposit location is the same as the spawn location), the deposit is refunded. This is one reason we advocate the swift return of ambulances to the garage. 

If for any reason, staff members are unable to return a vehicle that has a deposit fee (unknown ambulance has a zero fee), the storm/tsunami (server reset) will return the vehicle and refund the deposit. For this amount to be deposited into the bank of the EMS Staff member who requested the vehicle they must be in the city when the storm/tsunami hits. If they are not in the city, the deposit will be paid to the EMS Fund. 

Should circumstances prevent the return of the vehicle, resulting in the loss of the deposit, the lost funds can be added to the EMS Staff member's pay cheque. Any staff member out of pocket due to vehicle mishaps should contact High Command for a refund.