Day 1 EMR Training: Ambulance Operations

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering ambulance operational history, phases of an ambulance call, the Star of Life emblem, and the Emergency Management Equation.

Early Methods of Patient Transport

Historical transport methods including carrying patients in a hammock strap between two poles, Egyptian camel litters, and canvas sheets carried on the shoulders of two people by the Mojave Indians.

Ambulancias

Special tents for wounded soldiers used in late 15th century Spain where surgical and medical supplies were brought together.

Dominique-Jean Larrey

French surgeon who developed the concept of mobile ambulances—lightweight, two-wheeled vehicles that stayed with troops and allowed surgeons to work on the battlefield.

Geneva Convention (1864)

An agreement made in Switzerland by several European countries to recognize the neutrality of hospitals, sick and wounded persons, relief service personnel, and protective badges or signs.

First Aid-Conditioned Ambulance (1937)

The first air-conditioned ambulance built in America, designed as a pre-hospital emergency room equipped with medicine cabinets, roof lights, and two-way radios.

Model "T" Ambulances

A total of 4,362 Model "T" ambulances shipped overseas as of November 01, 1918.

Omaha Orange Cross

The original symbol for emergency medical goods and services funded under DOT/EMS programs, displayed on a square background of reflectorized white.

Leo R. Schwarts

Chief of the EMS Branch at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) who designed the Star of Life symbol.

Star of Life

A blue six-pointed symbol created after the American Red Cross complained in 1973 regarding the orange cross symbol, used to represent Emergency Medical Services.

Staff on the Star of Life

The central rod image located on the Star of Life symbol, which represents Medicine and Healing.

Star of Life Diagram

A blue six-pointed emblem with a central staff where each point represents a major function of emergency care: Detection, Reporting, Response, On-Scene Care, Care in Transit, and Transfer to Definitive Care.

Preparation (Ambulance Call Phase 1)

The first phase of an ambulance call where the crew checks the ambulance, equipment, supplies, and operational readiness.

Dispatch (Ambulance Call Phase 2)

The second phase of an ambulance call where the crew receives information about the emergency and the location of the patient.

En Route (Ambulance Call Phase 3)

The third phase of an ambulance call where the vehicle travels to the emergency location while the crew prepares for patient care.

Arrival at Scene (Ambulance Call Phase 4)

The fourth phase of an ambulance call where the crew arrives at the destination, checks scene safety, and begins assessing the situation.

Patient Transfer (Ambulance Call Phase 5)

The fifth phase of an ambulance call where the patient receives care and is loaded into the ambulance for transport.

En Route to Receiving Facility (Ambulance Call Phase 6)

The sixth phase of an ambulance call where the crew transports the patient to a hospital or other facility while providing medical care.

At the Receiving Facility (Ambulance Call Phase 7)

The seventh phase of an ambulance call where the crew transfers the patient and submits the patient care report to hospital staff.

En Route to Station (Ambulance Call Phase 8)

The eighth phase of an ambulance call where the ambulance returns to its station following completion of the patient transfer.

Post Run (Ambulance Call Phase 9)

The final phase of an ambulance call where the crew cleans, restocks, verifies equipment, and completes required documentation.

Detection (Star of Life Point 1)

The first point of the Star of Life, defined as recognizing that an emergency has occurred.

Reporting (Star of Life Point 2)

The second point of the Star of Life, defined as calling emergency services and transmitting details about the situation.

Response (Star of Life Point 3)

The third point of the Star of Life, defined as EMS personnel traveling to the scene of the emergency.

On-Scene Care (Star of Life Point 4)

The fourth point of the Star of Life, defined as EMS personnel assessing the patient and delivering care on location.

Care in Transit (Star of Life Point 5)

The fifth point of the Star of Life, defined as EMS personnel providing continuous care while en route to a medical facility.

Transfer to Definitive Care (Star of Life Point 6)

The sixth point of the Star of Life, defined as turning patient care over to medical staff at a hospital or appropriate facility.

Emergency Management Equation Diagram

The formula visual representing \t\t\frac{R + A \times W}{S} = M, which stands for Response plus Assessment times Work divided by Situation equals Management.

Response ($R$)

In emergency management, how a responder reacts to an emergency by staying calm, adhering to procedures, and starting appropriate actions.

Assessment ($A$)

In emergency management, checking the scene and patient to identify scene hazards, injuries, and patient needs.

Work ($W$)

In emergency management, the actions performed to aid the patient, such as administering first aid or preparing for transport.

Situation ($S$)

In emergency management, the conditions surrounding an incident, including environmental hazards, patient count, and available resources.

Management ($M$)

The overall leadership and coordination of an emergency derived from response, assessment, work, and situational factors.

Ambulance

A vehicle designated for treating and transporting patients in need of pre-hospital emergency care.