Author’s notes and glossary
This story is intended to give some insight into the life of an emergency medical technician (ambulance personnel) and emergency services in general. Although it is mostly accurate, there are some things within this story that are changed in the interest of keeping the story interesting and reader friendly.
Thank you very much for reading my work, I hope you enjoy it and as always, all constructive criticism, comments, and questions are welcome.
Protocols and the general setup of the story is based around New York State protocols and MLREM (Monroe-Livingston Region Emergency Medical Services) Protocols. The unit numbers of the ambulances in this story are unit numbers of real ambulances that are serving the community at this very moment.
Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction and does not represent the views, opinions, protocols, and procedures of any of the real ambulance services hinted at in this work of fiction. Any similarities to real calls, patients, or responding personnel is purely coincidental.
Glossary:
Advanced Life Support (ALS): the level of care provided by a paramedic or EMT-CC. This level of care includes advanced cardiac monitoring, a high number of medications and drugs, IVs, advanced airways, and a higher level of medical knowledge.
Automated external defibrillator (AED): an electronic device used to analyze and provide an electric shock to the heart via electrode pads placed on the chest with the intent of resetting the heart’s internal clock/rhythm.
Backboard: a rigid board (usually plastic) that may have some rigid foam padding, which is used to immobilize the spine and as a way to transport a patient.
Bag valve mask: an oxygen mask with a compression bag and reserve oxygen bag/buffer that is used to manually breathe for a patient.
Basic Life Support (BLS): the level of care provided by an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic. This level of care includes treatment of the majority of traumatic injuries, basic treatment of medical emergencies, basic airways, approximately 4-6 medications, and basic cardiac monitoring.
Buell horn: a brand of air horns that is a popular addition or upgrade on ambulances.
Certified First Responder (CFR): the most basic certification level of emergency medical response.
Chief complaint: the reason 911 or advanced care was called or sought out by the patient or any bystanders.
Emergency Department (ED): the section of a hospital devoted to taking in patients dropped off by family, friends, or ambulance. These patients may be unstable, and may have a medical problem, and or traumatic injury.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS): the system devoted to emergency medical care. In other words, ambulances and any other supporting units/agencies.
EMS Room: a combination break room, supply room, and workspace for ambulance personnel.
Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B): the most common certification among EMS personnel. Ambulances may not operate without an EMT-B on board. EMT-B certification for 2 years is a prerequisite to begin EMT-CC or EMT-P training.
Emergency Medical Technician – Critical Care (EMT-CC): this level of certification is not common, but can provide almost the same level of care as a paramedic. However, CCs are required to contact medical control prior to pushing a lot of medications.
Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P): the final level of certification in EMS. Paramedic certification is equivalent to a two year college degree.
Epinephrine: more commonly known as adrenaline, epinephrine is a chemical in the body that increases metabolism, allows for heavier use of muscles, blocks pain to some degree, and heightens alertness. In EMS, epinephrine is used to relieve swelling of the airway during an allergic reaction. It is also used when attempting to restart the heart.
Intravenous (IV): Both a route of medication administration and a term for the apparatus that fulfills this purpose, an IV (in regards to the apparatus) is a needle that punctures the skin and ends in a vein for the purpose of rapid medication administration. The most common sites for IV therapy is the inner elbow, and the top of the hand.
Oropharyngeal airway: a plastic object placed in the mouth of a patient. It is used to prevent the tongue from moving back and blocking air movement. Used on unresponsive patients only due to the possibility of a gag reflex if the patient is responsive.
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA): the technical term for a car accident or collision.
MDT: A textual messaging device/computer program that can send and receive messages. It is often connected to a printer and will automatically print out incoming messages. When a call goes out, the MDT will receive the full dispatch message with a few extra bits of information. Supplemental information after the initial dispatch may only be sent to the MDT and not via radio or pager. The MDT also keeps a log of the times for various responding units.
Patient Care Report (PCR): A legal document written after every emergency medical call that contains patient information, call information, location, times, protocols executed, etc. In summary, it is a document that records everything that happened at a call and all the supplemental information regarding that call.
Quality Assurance (QA): A program or committee designated to review Patient Care Reports for improper care, common troubles, incorrect or contradictory information, etc. A QA program is a New York State mandate.
Refusal of Medical Aid Form (RMA): A document stating that to the best of the EMT's ability and knowledge, the patient is mentally aware and competent enough to refuse medical aid and/or transport and that said patient has been informed of an consequences of refusing care as well as how and when to seek further care for the chief complaint (and any secondaries) related to the call. It requires a signature from the EMT in charge, the patient, and a witness.
Shoreline: an electrical cord that provides power to an ambulance or vehicle from household current, and ensures that on-board batteries remain charged when the vehicle is not in use. It is often located on the driver side of the vehicle.
Battalions, fleets, stations, and the known world
Battalion: District (district call sign number)
1st Battalion: Hoofington (4), Fillydelphia (3)
2nd Battalion: Manehatten (1)
3rd Battalion: Canterlot (0), Cloudsdale (9), Ponyville (7)
4th Battalion: Trottingham (8)
5th Battalion: Appleloosa (2)
6th Battalion: Equestria Medical Services (5)
Appleloosa (52) (Fictional)
Appleloosa Volunteer Fire Rescue (AVFR or AFR): 1 engine, 1 tanker, 2 ambulances
Canterlot (30)
Canterlot Volunteer Ambulance (CVA): partially career department, 5 ambulances and two fly cars, ALS units are 3089, Medic 32, and Medic 30
Canterlot Fire Department (CFD): 4 engines, 1 quint, squad and rescue
Cloudsdale (39) (fictional, may not appear in the PVA story)
Equestria Air Operations (EAO): All pegasus based equipment, 2 non-transporting medical wagons, 2 transporting medical wagons, 2 air tankers, 2 air engines
Equestria Medical Services (65) (RM)
Equestria Medical Services (E-MED): commercial district, 10 ambulances, all ALS, staffing may be BLS or ALS
Fillydelphia (13) (UH)
Fillydelphia Fire Department: volunteer/paid, 2 ambulances, 3 engines, 1 heavy rescue
Hoofington (14) (FAIR)
Hoofington Fire Department: 2 ambulances, 4 engines, 1 quint, 1 rescue, 2 squads
Manehatten (21) (Web/fictional)
Manehatten Fire Rescue (MFR): career, 4 engines, 4 ambulances, 1 midmount, 1 rescue, 2 light rescues, 2 squads
Trottingham (48) (Pitts)
Trottingham Fire Department (TFD): 4 engines, 2 quints (no bucket), 1 heavy rescue, 2 squads
E-MED is the primary EMS provider for this area
Unit numbers:
Fire departments are 3 or 4 digits: (battalion)(district)(unit number and or type)(secondary unit number, if applicable)
Ambulances are 4 digits always ending in 9: (battalion)(station)(unit)(9 for ambulance)
Command units: (battalion)(C for fire department, M for EMS)(unit number)(second unit number-optional)(district)
Fly cars: Medic ## (ALS) or Defib ## (BLS)(Numbers often correlate to battalion and district)