Non EMS Certified Pt. Transports

May 2, 2010

Good morning all. I would like to get your thoughts on the following scenario:

Suppose that a city contracts with a private ambulance service to provide EMS

coverage. Several months into the contract the EMS provider at best can only

provide one certified person on a shift. The city then advises their volunteer

fire department that they will provide the second person on the ambulance for

transports even though no members of the VFD are EMS certified. If the VFD

members do no more than drive the ambulance to the hospital could they be held

liable in a criminal or civil suit involving patient care ? Once they become a

member of the transporting crew does their status change? If the VFD members

" assist " the EMT with patient care such as administering O2, splinting, CPR,

etc. could they be held liable? The VFD is not a registered First Responder

organization with the State. The concern from some members is that if they do

not help they will have no EMS coverage at all. However, the liability issues

are also on their minds. Thanks!

Sam

May 2, 2010

From the VFD side I'd suggest the liability is greater by acting

outside of the " scope " of a VFD and by acting like an FRO.

There's no duty to act as an FRO on a VFD that I am aware of.

Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

Please excuse any typos.

(Cell)

LNMolino@...

On May 2, 2010, at 11:59, " H.T. FILLINGIM " hfillingim@...>

wrote:

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> 157.11 requires two ems certified folks on board 157.11 (g)

> staffing...

> unless you receive a variance, this would not be allowed. failure to

> follow this could result in suspensions, fines and, worse, a license

> revocation-- good luck ht

>

>>

>> Good morning all. I would like to get your thoughts on the following

>> scenario:

>>

>> Suppose that a city contracts with a private ambulance service to

>> provide EMS coverage. Several months into the contract the EMS

>> provider

>> at best can only provide one certified person on a shift. The city

>> then

>> advises their volunteer fire department that they will provide the

>> second person on the ambulance for transports even though no

>> members of

>> the VFD are EMS certified. If the VFD members do no more than drive

>> the

>> ambulance to the hospital could they be held liable in a criminal or

>> civil suit involving patient care ? Once they become a member of the

>> transporting crew does their status change? If the VFD members

>> " assist "

>> the EMT with patient care such as administering O2, splinting, CPR,

>> etc.

>> could they be held liable? The VFD is not a registered First

>> Responder

>> organization with the State. The concern from some members is that if

>> they do not help they will have no EMS coverage at all. However, the

>> liability issues are also on their minds. Thanks!

>>

>> Sam

>>

May 3, 2010

Have to agree with HT on this one and I think that anyone in EMS would also.

157.11 says that you have to have 2 certified people on the ambulance. If

nothing else, show them the back of the Texas EMS Magazine, they can see how

many the state has tagged for this same thing. If needed, visit with your

area's DSHS EMS folks.

Wayne

>

> Good morning all. I would like to get your thoughts on the following

> scenario:

>

> Suppose that a city contracts with a private ambulance service to

> provide EMS coverage. Several months into the contract the EMS provider

> at best can only provide one certified person on a shift. The city then

> advises their volunteer fire department that they will provide the

> second person on the ambulance for transports even though no members of

> the VFD are EMS certified. If the VFD members do no more than drive the

> ambulance to the hospital could they be held liable in a criminal or

> civil suit involving patient care ? Once they become a member of the

> transporting crew does their status change? If the VFD members " assist "

> the EMT with patient care such as administering O2, splinting, CPR, etc.

> could they be held liable? The VFD is not a registered First Responder

> organization with the State. The concern from some members is that if

> they do not help they will have no EMS coverage at all. However, the

> liability issues are also on their minds. Thanks!

>

> Sam

>

May 3, 2010