EMS Annual Report 2015 Home > Supporting our Operations
Supporting our Operations
Fleet
In FY2015, the Department
introduced new ambulances that featured industry recommendations to improve s
crew safety and ergonomics. The redesign
was the results of an employee workgroup that conducted months of research and reviews
to recommend these changes in 2014. In
2015, the Department of Homeland Security published recommendation in the
Ambulance Patient Compartment Human Factor Design Guidebook and in the same
year CASS published criteria for the Ground Vehicle Standard for Ambulances
v.1.o. Edition. Both of the publications established similar recommendations
and criteria recommended by the employee workgroup the year prior.
Highlights of these changes included:
New
Lighting Features. LED flashing lights were added to the front and side of the ambulance
for greater visibility when entering intersections. Additional lighting was also added to
increase night time visibility.
Cameras. Cameras were added to each front fender facing back along the side of the unit
for increased driver awareness while turning and backing the ambulance.
Seating. A
captain for the in-lieu-of a bench concept was added. This allows the medic to remain seated and
secure for all aspects of your patient care during transport.
Rear
Suspension. The ambulance redesign incorporates a new rear suspension system
called liquid springs. This allows for a smoother, quieter ride and provides much more stability to the back of the ambulance while driving.
Fleet Maintenance
This indicator shows the percentage of response vehicles receiving preventative maintenance when they are due.
Vehicle Maintenance
- 379 Vehicles Services
- 249, 084 Gallons of Fuel Used
- 1,626,832 Miles Driven
Facilities
The department
hired two new personnel both with backgrounds and expertise in facility
management and maintenance. As a result
of their background, experience and expertise, our Department has become more
self-reliant in the daily maintenance needs related to all of our EMS
facilities. The direct approach for
tackling in-house maintenance, work orders are now on addressed or completed
within 5 business days.
Since the start of
this initiative our “in house” facility management and maintenance personnel
have performed 46% of all submitted facility work orders. Our facilities
maintenance team continues to visit stations to help address any foreseeable
repairs, issues, and assess stations that would benefit from a new design.
Working in collaboration
with EMS Safety and Facilities, a new standard for “back-up” stripes has been
implemented in all EMS stations. This
new product, 3M Stamark Reflective Tape, is more durable and more reflective
than previous products used. The concept
for using two tape colors has held the drivers better identify where the
driveway and bay split allowing the driver to align the vehicle once inside the
bay.
Accomplishments
- New design layout for all ambulance bays to assist the driver while backing into the station
- Remodel of Station 7 Break Room and Station 35 Day Room to maximize space and ensure greater crew comfort
- Shorter response times related to facility repairs and maintenance needs
- Collaborated with Stealth Power to develop an innovative, reliable, idle-reduction system for use on ambulances in Austin to reduce emissions, reduce fuel consumption costs, and reduce noise from idling engines. The technology also helps reduce engine hours, which also reduces the frequency of vehicle maintenance costs thus extending the service life and warranty of the ambulance.