160 likes | 728 Views
Massachusetts Ambulance Task Forces Ambulance Task Force Massachusetts has been tasked with providing treatment and transport for 500 people per one million population, this means we have to treat and transport 3,500 patients in a 3 hour period
E N D
Ambulance Task Force • Massachusetts has been tasked with providing treatment and transport for 500 people per one million population, this means we have to treat and transport 3,500 patients in a 3 hour period
This task has been accomplished by organizing and deploying Ambulances Task Force’s throughout the Commonwealth
Ambulance Task Forces • There are fifty eight Task Forces, each Task Force has 5 ambulances and a Leader or Alternate Leader assigned to it. These Ambulance Task Forces can be either ALS,BLS or a combination of both. Some Task Forces may also have an additional Paramedic vehicle assigned to it. There are a total of 290 ambulances.
Depending on the condition of the patients, each ambulance can treat and transport 2 to 5 patients. The ambulance then will return to the scene and transport additional patients. This can be done several times.
Activation • A Task Force is activated only after the local and regional resources are exhausted and the Incident Commander determines additional resources are needed. The I/C then notifies the Mutual Aid District Control Center, who then using the NAWAS phone system requests the appropriate Task Force according to the Running Card.
MEMA • The use of the NAWAS phone also notifies MEMA of the situation and thus statewide resource availability can be monitored.
In addition to the Task Forces, we also have the cooperation of the local regional transportation authorities (Buses). The buses can transport 25-60 non-acute ambulatory patients. (certified EMT’s would be assigned to the buses). The buses can also make more then one trip to the hospital.
EMERGENCY TRANSFERS • The Task Forces and buses can also be used for patient surge, they can transfer patients from one hospital to another to make room for more acute patients, or even to evacuate a hospital should the need arise.
HOW AM I ACTIVATED? • The Mutual Aid Control Center receives the request for the Task Force. • Notifies Task Force members as shown on the resource listing for appropriate Running Card. • Notification done based on District policy and procedure. • Alternate used for fill in for unavailable units
ORGANIZATIONS • Your Organization must be familiar with the Mobilization System and procedures. • There should be an S.O.P/S.O.G. to guide your own dispatcher and personnel when the Ambulance Task Force is activated. • Personnel to be involved must have a good understanding of NIMS and MCI operations.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Massachusetts has purchased 12 Mass Casualty Incident Trailers. Theses trailers carry enough equipment and supplies to treat 50-75 people each.
These MCI trailers are located at various ambulances services or fire departments through-out the state. When requested, the trailers will be brought to the scene of a large scale event or incident by the host ambulance service or fire department where they are stationed.
Mass Decontamination Units (MDU’s)
The MDU is a tent / shower type system that a person who has been or is believed to have been contaminated, can be showed or “decontaminated” by either walking or being carried thru.