Detail or Stand-by Policy and Request
Dear Community Member:
From time to time it becomes necessary for a community organization, school, or business to request that an ambulance stage at the scene of a special event. It has always been the policy of Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad (SARS) to provide this service without reservation. However, over the past couple of years it has become increasingly more expensive to provide this service without compensation, especially when the event calls for a crew to be “committed” to the scene. On average, the cost for a basic life support ambulance to leave the station alone is in the area of $350.00 dollars; this includes personnel, personnel training, equipment, fuel and insurance.
The SARS Board of Directors have adopted a new “stand-by” policy which will be placed in effect as of January 1, 2006. This policy, described below, is intended to better service the community and allow us to prepare in advance for your special event.
Definitions:
Basic Life Support Ambulance: A fully staffed BLS crew, with two EMTs, that is capable of handling basic life support emergencies, such has falls, fractures, nausea, vomiting or dizziness. For most events, a BLS crew is all that is needed.
Advanced Life Support Ambulance: A fully staffed ALS crew consists of one paramedic and one EMT and is capable of handling emergencies such has a cardiac or respiratory event. Keep in mind, any BLS crew will start care of an emergency patient and call for the appropriate level of care as needed.
Detail or Stand-by: Any event where an ambulance or responder is requested to be on-site by the member of the sponsoring organization. For example, a high school football game.
Committed Crew: A committed crew shall consist of a volunteer crew or part-time career staff crew that is dedicated to the special event and shall not be “on-status” with Montgomery County Radio.
Procedure:
· Contact our station at 215-659-1885 (leave message if needed). An officer of SARS will contact you within two days. Remember, it is important to give us as much notice as possible since the shortage of emergency medical personnel in the area has placed a great demand on our resources.
· The SARS officer will mail, e-mail or fax to you a “Request of Ambulance Detail / Stand-by” Form. Please determine the level of care and crew type you need for your special event. Complete the form and return it to SARS as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty determining the level of care, call us and ask our recommendation. For example, we recommend at least one BLS crew for any event that expects at least 3,000 people to be in attendance. We MUST HAVE the completed form at least 45 days prior to the event in order to guarantee your request. If it is not completed within the time frame we will do our best to have at least a responder or the “on-call crew” at the event. SARS reserves the right to deny requests based upon concurrent requests, 911 emergency medical needs, staffing and equipment availability.
Costs: With MORE THAN 30 days notice in writing
· Committed BLS crew: Three hours of dedicated coverage $200.00
· Committed ALS crew: Three hours of dedicated coverage $250.00
With LESS THAN 30 days notice in writing
· Committed BLS crew: Three hours of dedicated coverage $250.00
· Committed ALS crew: Three hours of dedicated coverage $300.00
Cost after first three dedicated hour’s
· Committed BLS crew: Each additional hour $75.00 per hour
· Committed ALS crew: Each additional hour $100.00 per hour
An invoice will be sent to the contact person provided within one week of the event. SARS expects payment within 30 days of the invoice. Keep in mind, we are a non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status.
As always we will continue to provide the “excellence in pre-hospital care” our community deserves and has come to expect of SARS. We thank you for your continued support and understanding in the ever changing world of emergency medicine.
Please contact me with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Jamie Haddon
Executive Director