CONFIDENTIAL ##
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Recommendation (v)
A more dynamic system of emergency cover is employed by FSCC, entailing more frequent re-routing of vehicles on the road and more backup between depots and stations. Control equipment should be enhanced to provide more air space for voice communication and an improved data transmission rate. The ambulance consoles should be manned by personnel specialising in ambulance operations
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The
The use of re-routing and re-direction of ambulances was already being done to a fair extent. meeting noted that this recommendation had a strong relationship with the Second Generation Mobilising System, which was scheduled to be installed in 1990, because the SGMS would provide more air space for voice communication, an improved data transmission rate and a means better to identify where ambulances actually were. After the SGMS was implemented, this recommendation could then be better realized. meeting agreed that the ambulance consoles should be manned by personnel specialising in ambulance operations as mobilizing ambulances would require special knowledge.
Recommendation (vi)
The
Tiering of ambulance services should be introduced, with separate Controls for emergency and routine calls and crews on routine removal duties working a nine hour day, five days per week. The routing tier should be composed of a mix of two and three man crews as illustrated in Table 2. The establishment under this system is approximately 1,540 ambulancemen
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The meeting agreed to the recommended two tier control system. As regards the timetable for its implementation, the Chief Ambulance Officer said a pilot scheme would have to be tried out first before a sensible timetable could be set. He said that tiering would not be a success unless FSCC could meet the demand with the correct type of vehicle. This could only be achieved if M&HD provided advance information as to the type of patient, e.g. stretcher, sitting case, etc. If such information was not forthcoming then the use of dual-purpose ambulances, as used at present, would be
most cost-effective.
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The Chief Ambulance Officer said the effect of the recommended nine hour day, five days per week system could not be known until nearing full implementation of the tiering system. The Chairman proposed, and the meeting agreed, that this point be noted and would be re-examined after the pilot scheme was tried out first.
CONFIDENTIAL **
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