CLEMC Standard Operating Guidelines
Document/Subject: Operation of Department Vehicles
Policy: 108
Document Type: SOGLast Review: March 2009
Created: August 2004Next Review: March 2010
- Purpose:
● To define who may drive Corps vehicles, and the responsibilities of that position.
- Commentary:
● The following procedures are in place for the safety of you and your crew, as well as the public in accordance with policies set forth by this department and the Texas Motor Vehicle Code.
- Procedure:
● Only the following personnel are allowed to drive Corps vehicles:
◘ Active members
◘ Probationary members under training protocol
◘ Certified first responders affiliated with this agency
◘ Any exceptions to these must be approved by a Line Officer
● Member will only be authorized to drive ERV’s after 6 months of Active membership and with approval of COO or shift supervisor.
● The driver of each unit is considered a part of that unit. The driver is responsible for the unit, the equipment on the unit the safety of those on the unit. The driver shall be responsible for the proper response of the unit, including, but not limited to the safety of all persons riding in the unit and showing due regard for the public at large. The driver of each unit shall make sure all persons in the unit are restrained with an approved passenger restraint device.
● The driver of each unit shall make certain all equipment is on the unit before departing the scene. He/she shall be responsible for cleaning and decontaminating the unit at the hospital in accordance with infection control procedures. He/she shall be responsible for checking for equipment left at the hospital. He/she shall be responsible for restocking the medical/airway kits from unit stock while at the hospital and restocking the unit on return to the station.
● Any time a unit is backing a spotter shall be positioned at the rear driver’s side of the unit to safely guide the driver. This shall be the SOG any time an ambulance is backed in a non-emergent situation.
● When backing an ambulance in a street or other area where there may be a flow of traffic, or when on the scene where there may be a flow of traffic, the unit’s emergency lights will be on.
● On the scene of a call, other resources (Police or Fire) may be used as spotters. In the event these resources are not available, the attendant may assist only if patient care will not be compromised. Otherwise, the driver must visually inspect the surroundings prior to entering the ambulance and back without a spotter.
● If the driver loses sight of the spotter, he/she shall bring the ambulance to an immediate stop and silence the backup alarm so that the spotter is aware of the situation. The spotter shall then reposition themselves and backing may resume.
● If the backup alarm is not audible, a maintenance repair form shall be filled out immediately upon return to the station.
● Calls for service shall be answered Emergency or Non-Emergency. A Non-Emergency response shall be no lights or siren, obeying all traffic laws and posted speed limits. An Emergency response shall use both lights and siren. Units responding Emergency shall observe all Texas Motor Vehicle Code laws for emergency vehicle operations. The unit shall respond as directed by dispatch.
● Regardless of response, all traffic laws and posted speed limits will be observed in school zones or when encountering a school bus.
● Posted speed limits may be exceeded by no more than 15 miles per hour during an Emergency response.
● Any time a member is ticketed for a traffic violation, it will be that members responsibility to pay that ticket out of their own funds.