Seattle AMR Question

[SCPD]

I talked to a AMR Paramedic about their radio system he said it works well most of the time, he said they can always hear the dispatcher but usually not other ambulances unless they are close. My question is, why doesn't AMR join the Seattle-King System? I mean most every agency in the county is on it... doesn't that make more sense? Or atleast repeat their AMR frequency. Is there plans to do that? Thanks soooooo much!

 

[scaseyjordan]

Amr...

If I was to make a guess, I would say it's because AMR is a for profit company not managed by the county. The county would probably charge them for access to their system and they might have to re-radio to accomplish it. My best guess. Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[Moose71]

I would agree, Guessing it would come down to the two "evils"
MONEY and POLITICS.

 

[SCPD]

No, it just comes down to money.

You have to rent time on the system and buy all of the portables/mobile radios and 800Mhz antennas from a reliable dealer. Pay someone to program and maintain the radios. Pay someone to swap everything out. Pay someone to sell the old stuff. Pay someone to train the employees on the new radio system. Oh and don't forget the dispatching consoles. Re-train the dispatchers on the new technology. Install the new consoles. Sell the old consoles. Upgrade the dispatch center's antenna system which probably includes low-loss coax replacement and a new antenna system.

Easy right?

 

[SCPD]

Well, while we're on topic I've got another question about AMR Seattle. I never see/hear ANY other ambulance services repsoding in the City of Seattle... Is AMR the only agency contract for service in Seattle?

 

[FFSOD7189]

Before AMR had the contract in Seattle, Seattle had a contract with a local company Shepherd Ambulance AMR bought out Shepherd and got the contract.

 

[lafd55]

Ya gotta remember, Seattle Fire Department has their own ambulances that respond. AMR is only a secondary ambulance service to the city.

 

[zerg901]

This is how I think the system works in Seattle. (I plotted this out the other day from the Twitter feed for SFD calls.)

Seattle FD operates approx 5 ALS ambulances (Medics) and approx 5 BLS ambulances (Ambulances or Aids). (ALS ambs have 2 medics - BLS ambs have 2 EMTs - they might be firefighters also).

All FD engines and ladders have EMTs. Some might have paramedics also.

AMR probably operates just BLS ambulances (with crews of 2 EMTs each)

"Aid responses" (ie BLS calls) typically get 1 pumper (or 1 Ladder) or 1 Aid unit - I suspect that if an E or L is sent alone, then a AMR ambulance responds as the transport unit.

"Medic responses" seem to get a variety of responses - such as - E32 alone - E6 & M1 - E11 M32 - A5 M10 - E28 M28 - E37 M32 - A5 M16 - M1 alone - M10 alone - E17 M6 - I suspect they send at a minimum >> 1 transport unit plus 1 or 2 paramedics

I know that Seattle FD has a goal of getting 2 EMTs to every BLS call with a travel time of 4 minutes in 90% of all calls - 2011 they managed 86% - for ALS calls, the goal is 2 medics within 8 minutes 90% of time - they hit that travel time 85% of the time in 2011 - (see the 2011 SFD Annual Report online)

Motor vehicle accidents get 1 fire unit plus probably 1 AMR transport unit

a 'MVA freeway' call got A25 E2 E25

I think that San Francisco uses a similar system of private ambulance and public ambulances.

 

[zerg901]

Medic Response, 7 per Rule | 4029 Meridian Av N | Units: E17 E9 M16

that Tweet just arrived from https://twitter.com/#!/seattle911fire

???????

 

[FFSOD7189]

All ALS Medics in the SFD are also firefighters, all EMTs on SFD aid cars are also firefighters. Aid Cars in SFD do not transport unless you are special, they us AMR even though they can transport. AMR is not dispatched at the same time SFD is dispatched. SFD units on a BLS call, Aid Car or Engine will arrive on scene and evaluate the patient then switch there portable to AMR dispatch and request AMR to the scene freeing up SFD dispatch. No AMR ALS in Seattle, if ALS then you get SFD Medic Unit. Most Aid Cars in SFD are stationed in a Double House, Engine and Ladder. Their sole purpose is to handle calls so the Engine and Aid Car can remain in service for Fire Calls, when the Aid car is out of service then the engine gets dispatched, then the ladder is next.

 

[DickH]

All ALS Medics in the SFD are also firefighters, all EMTs on SFD aid cars are also firefighters. Aid Cars in SFD do not transport unless you are special, they us AMR even though they can transport. ...

By "special" do you mean a Trauma entry or critical patient? Here in Portland every company has a Paramedic and 3 EMTs. AMR is the only one who transports. Often, our Paramedic will go with them to the hosp. in the AMR ambulance.

 

[FFSOD7189]

Seattle Medic 1 does the ALS transport in their Medic Unit. AMR does the BLS transport in their BLS Ambulance. If you are "Special" Like a Firefighter then a SFD Aid Car might transport you if your BLS. Otherwise AMR does the BLS transport as requested by SFD units on scene.

 

[RobVallejo]

Hope this helps

Medic Response, 7 per Rule | 4029 Meridian Av N | Units: E17 E9 M16

that Tweet just arrived from https://twitter.com/#!/seattle911fire

???????

MEDIC RESPONSE, 7 PERSON RULE: provide a minimum of 7 members for resuscitation

from:
Fire Response Codes

 

[FFSOD7189]

MEDIC RESPONSE, 7 PERSON RULE: provide a minimum of 7 members for resuscitation

It used to be on any Medic Call in Seattle you got the closest Engine or Truck, then Aid Car, then Medic Unit. 3 on the Engine, 2 on the Aid Car, and 2 on the Medic Unit.

Snohomish County SNOPAC has the same thing it's call MED X Responce

 

[charlieone]

Snohomish County SNOPAC has the same thing it's call MED X Responce

MEDX is similar to a 7 per, except that each agency decides what units are dispatched for that particular run card. Everett, for example, sometimes sends just an engine and medic. Marysville gets an engine, medic, aid and batallion. Other places get an engine, 2 medic units, aid car and potentially one or two chiefs.

Same concept but different implementation.