A message primarily to: All EMS members Keeping the wheels from falling off A simple step in your check-off can prevent a major malfunction Yesterday, a tandem set of wheels fell off of one of our ambulances as it was transporting a patient. The ambulance tilted to one corner...
Department
Posts authored by the Virginia Beach Department of EMS
Station Traffic Signal Pre-Empt Button
Please remember to use the station traffic signal pre-empt button every time that you leave the station in emergency mode. Controlling the traffic with traffic lights is much safer that requesting them to stop with your lights and sirens. But always proceed with caution and ensure that everyone stops...
Backer/Spotter Roles and Responsibilities
Please click below for backer and driver duties while backing a vehicle including hand signals. Click here: https://www.vbems.com/wp-content/uploads/Backer-responsibility.pdf
Gates and Barrier Arm Best Practices
Please remember that the gates/arms are designed to let ONE vehicle pass through before the gate closes. Never try to follow a vehicle through the gate without reentering the code or waiting for it to close and reopen. Click here for more information: Gate arm info
MAYDAY! How to call for help on the radio
Please click below for information on calling for emergent and urgent police help. MAYDAY-calling for help
Cable Median Barrier Information
Please click the link below for information on the cable median barrier system installed along 264. it includes information on how to work around crashes when they involve the cables and a video link with more information on the system and how it works. Cable median barrier
Holidays are Stressful!
The holidays can be a stressful enough time for many people—so much to do with little time to get it done, longer nights, colder temperatures, tempting food that derails your diet, family, shopping, work deadlines, crowds and traffic, budgets—it can feel overwhelming! EMS calls might add additional stress during...
Changes to how we handle STROKE
A message primarily to: Core Ops Members Firefighters Changes to how we handle STROKE New screening tool, new receiving facility BEFAST For a couple of decades or so, our preferred stroke screening exam was the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale. It was composed of the following elements: F: Facial droop,...
The Preemption Pause
A message primarily to: Operations members The Preemption Pause Not so fast, buckaroo I had planned for this to be my Sterile Cockpit article, but there’s something else we want to share with you first. Recent changes Clearly our earlier articles have had an impact. Personnel have been doing...
Patients in Handcuffs
Researched and written by Capt. M. Brown We commonly associate drug overdose calls with opiates with good reason. However there are other illicit drugs found in Virginia Beach. When paired with the heat of summer stretching into November, some drugs can be seen as a different medical condition. Flakka...