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Equipment defects can occur in an ambulance like they can in any vehicle (such as in the suspension or braking system) or in special mission-critical components of an ambulance (like the HVAC system or a fastening device). The NHTSA Office of Defects Investigations collects complaints from drivers and fleet managers who think something just isn’t working the way it should and addresses them with the manufacturer. If you think a mission-critical compo-nent of your ambulance isn’t working properly, report it immediately to your fleet manager and to NHTSA at www.Safercar.gov. This will give NHTSA the data it needs to determine whether the defect is specific to your agency or something occurring nationally that requires further investigation—or potentially a recall. Effective driver training remains a top priority for EMS agencies across the country. NHTSA’s Office of Behavioral Safety Research is currently conducting a nationwide review of emergency vehicle operator training practices. As part of this review, we are talking to state and local EMS stakeholders to determine what emergency vehicle driver training they require, what other prerequisites they have in place before drivers can get behind the wheel of an ambulance, and what steps they take after a crash to determine the cause and prevent future incidents from occurring. There are several things you can do to prevent injuries and fatalities from ambulance crashes, from staying rested to using safe driving techniques. But the easiest steps are:

• Sit down and buckle up. When you get injured in an ambulance crash, it can have devastating effects on you, your family, your colleagues and your patients. Sitting in a proper seat and wearing a seat belt can significantly decrease your chance of injury in a crash or even a sudden maneuver (such as hard braking), and can also decrease the severity of injury in such an event.

• Secure all equipment safely. In a crash or during emergency maneuvering, unsecured items can become dangerous missiles and cause serious injury or death.

• Ensure everyone—your patients and your col-leagues—is properly restrained. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You just might save your partner’s life.

Safety is a critical component of great patient care, and NHTSA works as a team to help put the right information in your hands to make the best decisions on scene. Ultimately, the responsibility rests on you as an EMS provider to keep yourself, your patients and your partners safe.

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