EMS Equipment Standardization – Prince George’s County Fire/EMS

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, unit types, responsibilities, equipment, and forms referenced in the EMS Equipment Standardization General Order.

ALS Transport Unit

Advanced Life Support vehicle capable of transporting patients.

ALS First Response Unit

Advanced Life Support vehicle that responds but cannot transport patients (e.g., Paramedic Engine, Paramedic Supervisor).

BLS Transport Unit

Basic Life Support vehicle equipped to transport patients (ambulance).

BLS First Response Unit

Basic Life Support vehicle that responds but lacks transport capability (e.g., Engine, Truck, Squad).

ALS Upgrade Equipment

Additional equipment required to raise a BLS Transport Unit to ALS Transport capability.

General Order 05-06

Prince George’s County policy that sets minimum EMS equipment levels and standardization requirements.

Equipment Standardization

Process of maintaining uniform EMS supplies to improve care, purchasing efficiency, and training consistency.

Check Sheet

Daily inventory form listing required items for each EMS unit type; must be kept on file three years.

Station Officer / Volunteer Chief

Personnel responsible for ensuring unit compliance with minimum equipment levels.

Compliance Minimum

The least quantity of each item that must be stocked for a unit to remain in service.

Retention Period

Completed check sheets must be stored at the station for three (3) years before disposal.

Attachment #1

ALS Transport Unit Upgrade Equipment Check Sheet form.

Attachment #2

BLS First Response Unit EMS Equipment/Supplies Check Sheet form.

Attachment #3

BLS Ambulance Check Sheet form.

Attachment #4

ALS First Response Unit EMS Equipment/Supplies Check Sheet form.

Attachment #5

ALS Unit Check Sheet form.

LifePak 12 Monitor

Cardiac monitor/defibrillator required on ALS units with ECG cables, electrodes, combo pads, and batteries.

Portable Suction Unit

Battery or hand-powered device with cannister, tubing, and catheters for airway clearance; mandatory on all units.

CPAP Device

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure apparatus included in respiratory kits for managing respiratory distress.

Endotracheal Tube (ET Tube)

Tube inserted into the trachea to secure an airway; stocked in multiple sizes on ALS equipment lists.

Colorimetric CO₂ Detector

Device that changes color to confirm tracheal placement of an ET tube by detecting exhaled carbon dioxide.

Lactated Ringers Solution

IV fluid (500 mL & 1 L bags) carried for volume replacement; listed on both ALS and BLS inventories.

Chest Decompression Kit

Equipment set (catheter/needle) used to relieve tension pneumothorax; required on ALS units.

Nasal Capnography Circuit

Tubing assembly that measures end-tidal CO₂ through a nasal cannula; stocked for airway monitoring.