Non EMS Certified Pt. Transports

[Guest guest]

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