EMS is always looking for a mechanism of injury

After the scene has been determined to be safe (or at least not obviously unsafe), the EMS crew needs to determine if there is a mechanism of injury (a force that could cause injury). When there is no mechanism of injury, the patient must be ill (sick). When there is a mechanism of injury, the EMS crew should look for injuries. When there is no mechanism of injury, the EMS crew should start asking questions.

An ambulance only holds 2 immobilized patients at a time

Expect that your trauma patients will have cervical spine injuries and will require spinal immobilization. An ambulance can only hold 2 immobilized patients in the ambulance. What if the call presents the EMS crew with 3 patients? The ambulance crew will have call for additional ambulances.

Ascertain the need for additional resources

If there are many patients on the scene, patient’s needing extrication or patient care the scene can quickly become overwhelming. When a police officer calls for ‘backup’, the dispatcher knows they need more police. When the fire department tells the dispatcher to upgrade the call to a 2 alarm fire, the dispatcher knows the fire officer needs more fire trucks. What does the ambulance crew need? EMS crews must be able to articulate exactly what they need to get anything. Too many patients? Request enough ambulances to transport everybody off the scene. Need manpower? Call the fire department. People fighting in the front yard when you get there? Call the police.