WORLD CLASS SAFETY

LEADERSHIP NEWS
FIRST QUARTER 2011 | VOL. 3, ISSUE 1

Inside this issue: ‘Next Generation’ Safety

Fantasy Facility
League
Page 2.
Concept Vehicle Unveiled
What to Do After a Crash American Medical Response, American
Page 2. Emergency Vehicles and Leader Ambu-
lance have rolled out their newest “next
Leadership Corner
generation” concept ambulance that incor-
Mike Romo says ‘buckle up.’
Page 3. porates the latest patient and caregiver
safety features.
Safety Spotlight The prototype is the fourth safety con-
Page 4. cept ambulance of its kind. The
National EMS Week first version of the vehicle was
Page 5 released in 2004, a second con-
cept vehicle in 2005 and the
New Content on AMR4U
Page 6 third in 2007. The concept am-
bulance was created to raise
Contributors awareness, to reduce the safety risks faced
Ron Thackery by ambulance crews and to provide ad-
Mike Romo vanced care to patients.
Tom Eller The new Safety Concept Vehicle IV is
Paul Cormier based on a Mercedes-Benz 3500 Sprinter
Ken Gosteli
Newsletter Editor: Rob Garrett
chassis. It features numerous innovations
that protect medics, patients, motorists and
pedestrians from injury.
Safety Leadership Group
The Safety Concept Vehicle IV’s fea-  Unique exterior graphics that greatly
Ron Thackery, SVP Professional Services
& Integration tures include: enhance the vehicle’s visibility to other mo-
Paul Cornier, SRM, Northeast  Ergonomic patient care seating that torists.
Tom Eller, Dir SR, Southwest/Hawaii
allows crew to stay seat-belted during  High-conspicuity reflective graphics
Hadassa Fyffe, SRM, GA, FL, Carolinas
Rob Garrett, SRM , Central and NorCal transport. The seating system is designed to  LED lighting technology, both exte-
Ken Gosteli, SRM, Northwest reduce the amount of time medics have to rior and interior
Mike Hill, SRM, Southwest/Hawaii
leave their secured seated positions to ren-  Touch panel multiplexer control
Troy Meckel, SR Specialist, South
Rich Silva, HR Mgr, NorCal der patient care. Seat harnesses are sensi-  Easy access to equipment
Cindy Stalvey, Risk Analyst
tive to forward and side momentum to lock  Road safety vehicle monitoring sys-
Jayashree Shankarnarayan, tem (black box)
Safety & Risk Analyst belts into place.
Jessica Florian, Department Coordinator  A four-camera video system that  Backup radar warning system
greatly improves driver vision to the sides  Equipment mounting systems or stor-
and rear of the ambulance. The system, age
We’re on the Portal: similar to those currently found on police  Stryker Power-Pro stretcher and
http://portal.emsc.net vehicle, records all ambulance movement. Tracking stair chair
 WORLD CLASS SAFETY LEADERSHIP NEWS
Safety is no Fantasy
AMR Hartford is currently engaged in its second Fantasy Facility
League season. A FFL is a competition between six teams within
an operation. The competition fosters morale and is designed to in-
crease call volume, while maintaining safe operations.
Facilities in the form of Nursing Homes, Dialysis Centers and
Hospitals are drafted between the six teams. The team becomes re-
sponsible for increasing call volume compared to an eight week av-
erage. Each team drafted ten facilities which they thought could
garner the highest increase in call volume. Facilities which had zero
call volume were labeled “wild card” facilities.
Teams are rewarded and penalized weekly. They receive 1 point
for additional calls to existing customers and two points for “wild
card” facilities. Teams that average a Road Safety level 5 also gain 1
point. On the flip side, teams can lose 1 point for each preventable
collision or injury. Additionally, they would lose three points for
Road Safety level 1, two points for level 2 and one point for level 3.
No points are deducted for level 4 driving.
The first season ran for eight weeks as a pilot program and partic-
ipation by full time employees was mandatory. The second season is
currently underway and competition runs for 16 weeks.
A Field Training Officer is the captain of each team. They each
have a co-captain who, by design, is a new hire employee. Each
team captain selects a color for the team and names the team. Dur-
ing season one a team was named the “Purple People Treaters”.
Each captain and co-captain draft team members. Baseball caps
embroidered with the team name were issued to each team member
during season one and embroidered winter caps were issued for sea-
CRASH!...now what?
So, there they were, routinely driving through an intersection,
obeying the traffic laws, when all of a sudden, from out of
nowhere, another vehicle runs the red light and crashes into the
passenger side of the ambulance in which your crew was riding.
Neither crew member was injured, nor was the driver of the other
vehicle. But the side door of the patient compartment is badly
damaged, along with the rear wheel well. Now what?
The vehicle has been towed to fleet and crew members tested
in accordance with the Substance Abuse Prevention Policy or
CBA agreement. As the supervisor, you have completed the nec-
essary auto collision paperwork, taken more photos of this one
collision than were taken at your last family reunion, interviewed
witnesses and crew members, entered the data into STARS and
faxed everything off to Sedgwick. Time to sit back, relax and
wait until the vehicle gets fixed. Your work is done, right?
Not quite. In this scenario and others like it, we were hit by
another driver, therefore, we want to subrogate the claim, or have
the other driver’s insurance to pay for damages to our vehicle.
Before our fleet department begins repairs or sends the vehicle to
1Q 2011 PAGE 2
son two. Each
team gets $200
for a marketing
budget which
they use to buy
anything in the
Barker’s cata-
logue. They also
have access to all
AMR printed ma-
terials (phone
stickers,
brochures, etc.)
that would nor-
mally be distrib-
uted by the
business develop-
ment team.
The winning teams received high-quality embroidered polo shirts
and a poster which memorializes the season winners. Ultimately,
morale and team work has improved, call volume has increased, and
risks have been reduced.
While the first two seasons were in-house competitions, AMR
Greater Hartford is seeking to compete against another operation
that relies upon non-emergency call volume. If there is another op-
eration that is up-to-the-challenge, “bring it on”. Feel free to con-
tact GM Sean Piendel via outlook e-mail address.
the body shop, we need to have an estimate of damages to pro-
vide to the other driver’s insurance. If repairs are begun or com-
pleted prior to obtaining this estimate, our ability for a complete
recovery may be diminished. “But Mr. Safety Manager, we need
our vehicle repaired as fast as possible because we need the vehi-
cle back out on the streets!”
The best way to speed the process along is to make contact
with the Sedgwick liability unit during the investigation process,
advise them of the collision and that the paperwork will soon be
sent off, and request Property Damage Appraisers (PDA) to be
dispatched in order to provide an estimate of damages as soon as
possible. PDA is an independent, third party appraisal company
contracted through Sedgwick to provide unbiased property dam-
age appraisals. Often, PDA can be sent out within 24 hours. This
quick response will help our ability for recovery on the damages
and provide for quicker repairs in an effort to get ambulances
back in service.
As always, communication is the key.
Consult your regional safety professional for more inormation.
PAGE 3 1Q 2011 WORLD CLASS SAFETY LEADERSHIP NEWS

LEADERSHIP
CORNER

Again: Stay Belted in the Back

by Mike Romo, Operations Manager, Victorville, CA

Safety is not a gadget; it’s a state of mind
-- Eleanor Everet
Everyday we come to work and do our best to provide
the best care for our patients. Caring for their needs is
what we do. Do we do everything in our power to do so?
Some of the unspoken care we need to do is accident
prevention and safety awareness. We are all aware of
driving defensively, the importance of wearing our PPE
and scene safety. We know to wear our seatbelts not only
because it’s company policy, but we have seen
the injuries caused when not worn.
One of the Counties ongoing safety initia-
tives is to ensure that Caregivers in the rear
compartment stay belted while the vehicle is
in motion.
San Bernardino County is continuing to de-
velop a campaign of awareness to this matter
through what we are calling Belted in Back.
An employee workgroup has been developed,
and regular meetings scheduled, to discuss and
brainstorm ways to bring this important safety matter to
light. This group consists of
field crews, communications
crews, and management.
The San Bernardino
County Belted in Back ini-
tiative has started the
process with some articles in
local newsletters. These bi-
monthly newsletters are just
the start. The next phase is to distribute employee aware-
ness memos on this as well. Additionally, each of the San
Bernardino County Operations has a monitor with a
Power Pont presentation within their deployment centers.
This multi media show displays memos, updates, and im-
portant safety messages including the importance of stay-
ing belted…even in the back.
The Belted in Back group has also developed a Pre-
Motion Checklist. This 6 point checklist includes not
only wearing seatbelts in the back and cab, but
also assuring that all equipment is secured
prior to leaving any scene to prevent them
from becoming “missile” in the event of a col-
lision. This includes the monitor, oxygen, and
closing any open cabinets.
The checklist will also be printed on the
decals. In turn, these decals will be placed in
every unit as a constant reminder of what
needs to be done prior to putting the unit in
gear. These 3 x 5 decals will be placed on the
rear and side windows and the dashboard.
We will continue to
work on ways to keep our
folks safe in the back of
the unit. We are doing so
with the following in
mind…
Prepare and prevent,
don’t repair and repent.
-- unknown.
 WORLD CLASS SAFETY LEADERSHIP NEWS
Safety Spotlight on AMR
San Bernardino County:
Safety Spotlight on AMR San Bernardino County:
AMR San Bernardino County transports more then
125,000 patients each year and has a service area of approxi-
mately 3000 square miles. The County has an exclusive op-
erating area covering both urban and rural service areas
granting the privilege of serving 77% of the 9-1-1 market as
well as 95% of the Inter Facility Transport market. San
Bernardino County resources are deployed from 3 operating
site-: Victorville, Redlands and the headquarters in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA. Staffing includes 616 field employees, 37
Dispatch employees and 29 Administrative employees.
AMR San Bernardino County has identified safety goals
as part of the 2011 Strategic Plan. As part of the 2011 strate-
gic planning goals and objectives, specific safety metrics
have been established that include reductions in Worker’s
Compensation claims, worker injury lost work days and re-
ductions in overall worker injury
safety performance rates per 10K
payroll hours. Some of the safety
tactics that have been identified are
enhanced safety awareness and com-
munications, focused back injury
prevention programs and initiatives
and conducting an employee Safety
Climate/Culture Survey through the
University of Pittsburgh EMS Re-
search Department.
An integral component of the
Counties safety tactics, and overall successes in safety, is get-
ting the safety message out to all Caregivers on a regular
basis. Realizing the importance of safety communications and
reminders, the San Bernardino County Communications Cen-
ter has partnered in employee and community safety efforts
by rolling out the-“The Communications Center Cares About
Safety-we are all on the safe page” program.
As we all know, on a daily basis, our Caregivers may be
exposed to hazardous conditions and situations such as haz-
ardous weather conditions, driving safety, potential exposures
and PPE, lifting related injuries…and the list goes on.
The Communications Center “we are all on the safe page”
program provides for a means of communications and caring
to keep Caregivers informed on important safety messages
and topics that may be pertinent to their overall safety.
1Q 2011 PAGE 4
Every shift-the Shift Supervisor checks with the National
Weather Service for pertinent severe weather conditions and
road work and conditions through California Transportation
Authority to ensure drivers are aware and informed of poten-
tial driving related hazards that may exist in the area due to
road or severe weather conditions. Additionally, the Commu-
nications Center has collaborated with Operations and Safety
and Risk Management to determine other special safety mes-
sages that may need to be sent to promote awareness for spe-
cific safety topics.
A list of safety topics based on the most common safety is-
sues and potential risks has been developed and are also sent
daily by each Communications shift supervisor as the safety
message of the day. Some of the messages are pre-set in the
CAD Auto Page System in addition to the critical safety issues
such as inclement and hazardous road
conditions. An example of some of
the “We are all on the safe page”
safety messages that are sent as part
of the daily safety reminders include:
• Remember to always use your
Proper Personal Protective Equip-
ment.
• Remember to utilize your
High Visibility Vests while on public
roadways.
• Always stay belted…even in
the back!
• Remember to always use 5 pt restraints on every pa-
tient, every time!
• Remember to use proper lifting technique-lift with
your legs and arms and not with your back.
• Remember to always use proper approved patient
moving devices when moving your patients.
• Avoid driver distractions such as cell phones and tex-
ting while driving.
• Remember to warm up your muscles and stretch be-
fore and during your shift. Athletes do…and so should you.
• Always use a spotter when backing.
• Know your vehicles height and width clearance to pre-
vent vehicle damage from overhangs and walls.
continued on page 5
PAGE 5 1Q 2011 WORLD CLASS SAFETY LEADERSHIP NEWS

National EMS Week: May 15-21

2011 National Emergency Services Week is May 15th
through May 21st. The National Emergency Services Week
theme this year is Everyday Heroes. I am sure that most oper-
ations have been planning events and activities to honor our
field providers. Our field providers are everyday heroes, our
front line and the face of AMR. AMR’s field providers do an
excellent job providing patient care, taking care of not only
the patient, but family members also, and make critical deci-
sions when faced with difficult problems. Unfortunately, our
field providers don’t always treat themselves like everyday
heroes, or take good care of themselves physically and men-
tally.
Over the past few years AMR has tried to encourage oper-
ations to incorporate an employee health, wellness and safety
component to EMS Week activities. Some operations have
taken this to heart and scheduled activities for field providers
and their families that encourage them to take a more active 3 on 3 Basketball tournaments
role in their physical health, mental health and on the job Driving Rodeos
safety. Our field providers are our most valuable asset so let’s Bicycle Helmet Fitting (With Free Helmets)
help them be everyday heroes to themselves. Bicycle Rodeos (For kids of all ages)
Below is a list of activities that some operations have Employee Health Fairs
scheduled in past EMS week celebrations. Stretcher Safety and Patient Handling Competitions
5K Walks and Runs BBQ Cook Offs (Using healthier meats such as fish or chicken
Family Fun Days or even a grilled vegetable category)

Safety Spotlight, from page 4

• Use on scene assistance and ask for lift assistance
for patients when in doubt.
• Remember to always check to ensure the fuel noz-
zle is removed and returned to pump after fueling.
• Always remember the 4 second rule to ensure ade-
quate space cushion for driving following distance.
• Remember to keep rear compartment equipment
secure.
Examples of standard National Weather Service In-
clement Weather safety pages: pects of business operations as well.
• Remember to slow down-use proper following Through this program, the San Bernardino County Com-
distance munications Center shows the commitment to be a vital safety
• Possible flooding…do not attempt to by pass partner through continued communications and awareness.
warning signs or proceed through swift water flooding. The bottom line goal is to provide Caregivers with the knowl-
• Possible icy conditions or snow…slow down and edge and awareness they might need that may impact their
use caution. safety each and every day so they can return home safe and
• High wind warning-watch for downed trees and sound to their loved ones, as well as contributing to the over-
power lines. When exiting hang on to the doors to avoid all safety of our customers and communities they serve.
possible damage.The Communications Team is also pro- Article furnished by Renee Herman, San Bernardino
viding other messages to promote awareness for other as- County Communications Supervisor and safety representative.
 WORLD CLASS SAFETY LEADERSHIP NEWS 1Q 2011 PAGE 6

New content on
AMR4U is a training portal with a variety
of useful informational videos and documen-
tation. We have made some exciting changes
to the portal to make it more user-friendly.
 Previously, content in each year’s fold-
ers were placed in folders by month. This
made it difficult to search specific content.
Now the content by year has been placed in
folders by content category (ex.
Clinical/Safety & Risk Management/HR Op-
erations) and content type (ex. topic “Injury
Reporting” under a main folder “Safety and
Risk Management”). New content will be
placed in the 2011 folder.
 To easily view new content, a link to
the newest content will be placed under the
AMR4U main page (under the heading “NEW
TOPIC HAS JUST BEEN POSTED!”). Also,
this link will be placed under Announcements
within the AMR Department Sites main page.
 IMPORTANT ACTION REQUIRED:
Now you have the ability to get alerts to new
training content. You can receive email alerts
sent to your work email account in two ways.
Please follow the below instructions and cre-
ate BOTH alerts.
 Under the AMR Department Sites main
page, click on Announcements. Click on Ac-
tions pull-down menu and select “Alert Me”
and click OK on the lower right hand corner
of the page. This will send you an alert on any
new content placed under the Announcements
section.
 Once in the AMR4U portal, click on
the 2011 folder. Again, click on Actions pull-
down menu and select “Alert Me” and click
OK on the lower right hand corner of the
page. This will send you an alert on any new
content placed under the 2011 folder.

If you have any questions about the

AMR4U portal please contact Jayashree
Shankarnarayan at
jayashree.shankarnarayan@emsc.net or
303-495-1268.