An innovative idea from right here in Franklin:
[Franklin Fire Chief] Martins puts it this way: “How would we explain to a widow of one of our firefighters,” he wonders, “that your husband was killed while responding to a broken ankle?”
Bertram imagines the firefighter dying responding to what is called a “lift assist” in the world of emergency response. In his scenario, someone fell out of bed and needs help getting back up. Racing to the house, the ambulance wrecks, and the responder dies.
Until March 2009, the Franklin Fire Department’s four ambulances ran lights-and-sirens (“signal 10” in responder lingo) to all 911 calls. Then, for three months, the department used a special protocol Bertram devised with help from the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin programs charged with medical oversight of EMS units.
In essence, according to Bertram, if the 911 dispatcher, using the protocol, determines the emergency isn’t life-threatening, the ambulance doesn’t run lights and siren. It doesn’t run red lights. It follows the normal flow of traffic.
Read the rest at: Kill that siren! | Milwaukee News Buzz
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