Crew Chief Promotional Process Summary
Basic Requirements
- Attend the mandatory Crew Chief training module.
- Start a tab in the promotion binder
- Complete the Crew Chief Intent form
- Complete FEMA online course ICS-200.a
- Attend and complete the ITLS class
- Write up at least four calls, and at least one trauma call
- Participate in additional clinical experience (Ride-alongs, Clinical time, job with another EMS organization)
Important Skills For a Potential Crew Chief to Develop
- Begin taking over more (and eventually all) responsibility on calls
- Demonstrate complete medical knowledge and appropriate treatment/transport decisions
- Show competent knowledge and understanding of squad operations
- Exhibit the ability to command a scene
- Exhibit the ability to direct the crew and officers
- Effectively delegate tasks and supervise the crew on a call
- Display appropriate behavior off of calls
- Show an active interest in mentoring other squad members, especially on duty
- Be able to quickly and effectively call ahead to the hospital
- Give proper constructive criticism of crew members, and also commend good performance
Remember
- You should only become a crew chief when you are ready to be promoted
- When you near promotion, the Chief will ask you if you feel comfortable being promoted
- This process is designed to convey information and create dialog; feel free to ask questions and share experiences – this will help you become a better and more knowledgeable potential crew chief – you are encouraged to take an active approach to your promotion
- If you are not promoted, one of the crew chiefs will speak with you about areas you can improve in
The goal of the Crew Chief promotional process is to train new personnel. The current Crew Chiefs will make an active effort to ensure that the candidate is able to complete the process and does become a competent and professional Crew Chief. Some candidates will complete the process faster than others due to greater experience in the EMS field, higher call volume, and/or previous exposure to leadership positions. New 2nd EMTs are encouraged to serve, at the very least, (1) semester in that position before applying for a promotion.
University of Dayton Rescue Squad
Crew Chief Training
Module I – The Basics: Skills and Responsibilities of the Crew Chief
A. Role of the Crew Chief
1. Supervisor of the Crew – for both on call and off call activities
2. Chief medical officer on campus – on calls and MCI’s (yield only to DFD medical official)
3. Trainer on crew – for acclimation of new members and skill maintenance for other members
-know the ambulance inside and out, know your medical stuff
B. Specific Responsibilities – Not on a call
1. Calling in and out of service as necessary for shifts
2. Supervising completion of squad checks (daily and weekly), sanitization and house duties – need to document
3. Rectifying any needs from squad or house check
i. Equipment from hospital or stock room
ii. Notify dispatch and sergeant on duty immediately if any operation problems
or hazards are found
iii. Clean as needed
iv. Fuel ambulance if tanks is less than half (Diesel at Speedway on Stewart St., use Speedy Rewards card & follow instructions on laminated card under driver’s visor); no need to call out of service
4. Ensure adherence to squad uniform policies and S.O.P.’s (consult UDRS constitution
if there is any question)
-report any discrepancies if necessary to Asst. Chief of Personnel
5. Complete Skill of the Week training as needed
6. Carry out any operational duties or report to alternate staging location as needed
7. Report any pertinent information to incoming Crew Chief (use white boards and verbally inform)
C. Specific Responsibilities – On a call
1. Radio Traffic
i. Use plain talk and know all traffic pertinent to a call (Cleared, en route, on scene, en route to hospital, at hospital, in service, in service with a
refusal)
ii. Limit to necessary traffic only
2. Responding to a call
i. Go only when dispatched
ii. Use lights and sirens at your discretion or if dispatch/UDPD advise
iii. Be sure driver knows quickest or most accessible route
3. All medical decisions and treatments are ultimately your responsibility, but others should assist with treatment and provide input
4. Delegate treatment responsibilities. Remain calm and collected at all times. You are responsible for keeping your crew focused and effective despite the stress of the situation at hand.
5. Be mindful of on scene times (should be 10 minutes or less)
6. Know if it is a “Load and Go” to step it up as necessary (5 minutes on scene time)
7. Call for DFD if needed
i. More than one critical patient (our ambulance can only transport 2 minor pts)
ii. ALS intervention needed (DO NOT delay transport waiting for ALS unit)
iii. Lift assist / Extrication assist – request DFD engine or ladder only
8. Be mindful of scene safety – wait for an officer or fire officials to respond if needed
9. Decisions to refuse – only if patient fits refusal criteria; be sure to document everything and to sign and witness (UDPD preferred) on back of run sheet
10. Choice of hospital
i. Patient’s decision (MVH, KMH, GVH, GSH, DHH, CMC all okay; WPAFB also allowed for military personnel and dependents only [discouraged because of out of service time and lack of familiarity with facility])
ii. If up to usMVH
iii. For all hospitals know:
a. How to get there
b. Where to park and enter at each facility
c. Where nurses’ desk and patient charts are
d. Where the EMS room and supplies are located
e. Where drug bags are exchanged (supply room vs. pharmacy)
11. Communicate patient disposition to hospital using MIVT ETA
i. Prior to arrival if necessary
a. For all patients being transported to a location other than MVH
b. For all critical patients (whether MVH or not)
c. Patients going to WPAFB to gain security clearance at the gate
ii. For medication order to access BLS drug bag
12. Supervise writing of report (assist if needed, but always review before submitting)
13. Distribute copies of run reports
i. EMS coordinator copy to box in EMS room
ii. Hospital copy to patient’s chart
iii. Rescue Squad copy to “reports to be filed” bin in sergeant’s cubicle at CPC
iv. Copy at CPC for squad house with patient’s information blacked out and place in “reports to be reviewed” folder
14. Log call on computer
15. Request CISD if needed and report occurrences to Chief if needed
16. Review call with crew and provide positive reinforcement and constructive
criticism
D. You MUST Report
1. Any accidents or damage to the ambulance
i. To dispatch and sergeant immediately
ii. To the Chief (call immediately)
2. Any unsafe, non-operational (including ambulance) or missing equipment
i. To dispatch and sergeant immediately
ii. Report to Asst. Chief of Operations (call immediately)
3. Any patient dropped on cot
4. Any crew member injured on duty
5. Crew members not reporting for duty
i. To dispatch if calling out of service is necessary
ii. Report to Asst. Chief of Personnel (call or e-mail as necessary)
6. Any situation or occurrence that could hinder squad operation or adversely affect public relations – when it doubt, report it
E. Who’s Who
1. Squad Officers – know the officers and their roles (consult UDRS Constitution or Chief with questions)
2. Current Crew Chiefs
3. Seconds and Thirds – know by name and face, know the strengths and weaknesses of those you work with
4. Provisional Members – get to know class members, include and train them, know limitations
5. Squad Adviser – Randy Groesbeck (104), Administrative Lieutenant
6. Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police – Bruce Burt (100)
7. Associate Director of Public Safety – Bob Coyle (101), Notary
8. Chief of Operations of Public Safety – Major Larry Dickey (103)
9. Patrol Lieutenant – Joe Cairo (106)
10. Sergeants
201 – Pete Snyder
202 – David McIntosh
203 – Jeff Witte
204 – Brad Swank
11. Officers – Try to know names and badge numbers (300’s); note if they are EMT
certified
12. Dispatchers
F. The Next Step – Running calls and submitting evaluations
1. What we are looking for
i. Knowledge
ii. Confidence (in knowledge and making quick decisions)
iii. Ability to command scene
iv. Ability to supervise and delegate
v. Behavior off calls
G. Remember
1. You should only become a crew chief when YOU are ready
1. This training is meant to convey information AND create a dialog, feel free to ask questions and share experiences
University of Dayton Rescue Squad
Crew Chief Training
Module II – Crew Dynamics and the Role of the Crew Chief
A. Review any questions or issues from Module I
B. Definition of a crew – by law an emergency medical service must have two EMT’s to
transport a patient
-You must have your Ohio card on file to run as a 2nd EMT
-We must fulfill this requirement, but strive to go beyond for the well-being of the
patient and the quality and longevity of the squad
C. Crew Roles
1. Crew Chief
a. As discussed in Module I – supervisor of crew, chief medical officer and
trainer of other members
2. 2nd EMT/3rd EMT
a. Serves as additional certified EMT on crew
b. Respects leadership of crew chief, but is still equally responsible (by law) for the medical care of the patient
c. Is responsible for following laws and procedrures
d. Carries an additional radio and knows radio codes
3. Driver (whomever drives out of crew members)
a. Is primarily responsible for issues directly related to the ambulance (locking/unlocking, plugging/unplugging, making up the cot at the hospital,
getting supplies and cleaning the ambulance)
b. Do not assume your driver knows the ropes. Quiz and train them.
4. Observer (this individual is very important to the future of the squad, particularly in
the case of class members)
a. Rights
i. Right not to do anything medical on a call
ii. Right to express that they do not want to have anything to do with a
call
iii. Right to observe everything that occurs on a call
b. Rules
i. Never come in contact with any kind of bodily substance (aka put
gloves on and take any other necessary measures before you get out of
the ambulance)
ii. Always stay with the CC or 2nd EMT, never wander off
iii. If told to do something, do it right away
iv. Patient confidentiality
v. Must have signed waiver
vi. Uniform policy – must wear appropriate clothing and shoes and no visible body piercings
D. Training
1. Complete assigned training
2. Answer questions, address issues, give miscellaneous tips and do skills of the week – TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN
3. Allow all to rotate duties so learning is enhancded
a. Running the call (only if individual is comfortable)
b. Driving
c. Writing reports (person taking information should write the report, so plan ahead)
d. Taking vitals
E. Working together
1. Lean how your specific crew or how other individuals work
2. If you don’t need to talk, then you are there
3. Give examples
4. Listen and find out what the needs of the crew are
5. Be polite – don’t ask anyone to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself
6. Don’t be demanding
7. Be calm and confident on scene; if you are calm they will be calm and they are
looking to you for confidence
8. Be calm on the radio
F. How to criticize or correct
1. Remember that we are all learning (“We pledge to be…students of our experiences.”
– UDRS Constitution)
2. Never openly criticize or correct someone in front of the patient or public safety
officer unless impending detriment to patient, equipment or squad reputation
3. Pull aside during a call (making sure patent is still cared for) or afterward
4. Use call review system (in EMS room, en route back to campus or back at the house) i.e. “What do you think we could have done better?”
5. Think positively!
G. How to commend – the very important counterpart to the previous section
1. Do it often, this builds confidence
2. Pick out little things that someone does well and build on them
3. As a part of the call review system, “I think we did this well…”
H. Review, Miscellaneous Issues, Questions
I. The Next Step
1. Run calls
2. Observe on ride-along’s
3. Come back ready for more learning and growing
University of Dayton Rescue Squad
Crew Chief Training
Module III – Public Relations and the Image of the Squad
A. Review any questions or issues from Modules I and II
B. Background
1. It is hard work and adherence to our goals and ideals that gives us our image. To maintain this image, we must all practice good public relations and keep in mind the image of the squad. We are not a “Drunk-mobile” or a joke. The national attention we have received has been in part to the excellent image that UDRS constantly strives for and continually achieves.
C. Basic principles of behavior
1. Competence gained through training
2. Confidence gained through practice
3. Professionalism gained through attitude
D. On duty basics
1. Wearing the uniform and wearing it properly is paramount to being taken seriously
2. How you do your job (on a call) is important
3. How you act on duty while not on a call is just as important because people project
this attitude onto how we do our job
4. Note: This does not prohibit socializing or having fun while on duty, just don’t do anything stupid (silly or reckless) in front of a crowd
E. Off duty basics
1. Again, what is done off duty affects what is done on duty and how you are seen professionally
2. Wearing squad paraphernalia while not on duty
a. Wearing the uniform while not on duty is prohibited
b. The blue EMT shirts are not to be worn around campus while not on duty
c. Wearing a squad shirt or jacket identifies you as a member of squad and therefore reflects on the squad’s image. Do not wear these items out “partying.”
F. Image toward different groups
1. Patient
a. This is first and foremost because it directly affects how you get the job done
b. Treat the patient like a customer
c. Establish a rapport by comforting, but being honest
d. Don’t make them feel stupid
e. Be professional
f. Make them feel in control
g. Don’t be judgmental or patronize
2. Bystanders
a. These can be friends, roommates or complete strangers; some treat you differently than others
b. First know who needs to be there (family, friends, witnesses) and who
doesn’t (the crowd) and how to get rid of them if they don’t cooperate (crowd control crew member or the police)
c. What is okay to tell them (which hospital you will be transporting them to)
and what is not (diagnosis or personal information)
3. Campus
a. This is most often seen in off duty actions
b. Be professional, but have a sense of humor
c. Always drive sensibly, especially when campus is crowded
d. Use of the PA system, lights, horn and sirens
i. Think of how what you say on the PA might be perceived
ii. Honking at a friend is ok, but don’t frighten
iii. Be courteous to the campus community with use of siren at night (remember, there typically isn’t much traffic to slow you down to require the use of the siren)
4. UDPD
a. This group has the most control over how we do our job and ifwe do our job
b. Treat every member of the department with respect no matter what you
think
c. If there is an issue, go through the proper channelsChain of command!
d. When a disagreement arises handle it professionally
5. The hospital
a. The most important thing you can do to convey a good message to the
hospital personnel is to give a good verbal report upon arrival
b. Be polite, no matter how nasty the nurses can be!
c. Always follow the hospital rules (parking, equipment and supplies, security)
d. Realize that some hospitals and nurses have a stigma against UDRS, so handle it professionally
e. Treat every call as serious
f. Report any problems to Chief and follow chain of command
6. Other EMS Organizations
a. Realize that we are a part of the EMS community. We are all professionals, we do the same job and mostly for the same reasons
b. Taking the knowledge you can from others in the profession (but leave the attitude that some have) and realize no one person will ever know it all. Learn what you can from each person
7. The Community
a. How you act in general is perceived not only by the campus community, but
by the outside community as well. You affect not only the image of UDRS but
the image of the university
b. Remember this eve when out eating or getting gas
G. Review questions
H. The Next Step
1. Continue running calls
2. Think about questions you may have
3. Gain experience and confidence
University of Dayton Rescue Squad
Crew Chief Training
Module IV – Other Responsibilities and Review
A. Review any questions or issues from previous training modules
B. Other responsibilities
1. Ambulance maintenance
i. As an experienced member of the squad, you should become familiar with the workings of the ambulance and therefore know when things are operating correctly and when they are not
ii. Major deficiencies need to be reported immediately, small things should be reported so that they can be inspected and/or fixed and trends should be noted
iii. Assure squad checks and sanitizing is done
iv. Perform additional cleaning as needed (i.e. washing the outside, washing windows and vacuuming the cab)
2. House maintenance
i. Assure that regular house duties get done
ii. Assure that any “messes” that get created on your shift (including dirty
dishes) get taken care of before the end your shift (it’s your mess, clean it up!)
3. File maintenance
i. Assure that all information is properly logged: squad checks and sanitizing
C. The Next Step
1. Finish running calls
2. Submit reports on calls run to petition for crew chief status
3. Think about what you need to work on to become a crew chief
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