Policy and Procedures

August 25, 2008

1.0 MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

           1.1 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the SPEMS RRAMS Team is to be made up of Volunteers from any service or county in the SPEMS and TSA-B areas. Members receive no compensation for services rendered. Membership is not limited to EMS personnel. There are roles for rescue specialists, doctors, nurses, lab & x-ray techs, etc. Also, family members that are at least 14 years old and approved by the RRAMS coordinator may become AHA First Aid/CPR trained. At all events, the First Aid personnel are the responsibility of the certified family member and MUST be with the certified family members at all times. The First Aid personnel are expected to act in a professional manner. Failure of the First Aid personnel to follow guidelines will result in immediate dismissal. The first Aid personnel will wear uniform as outlined in Appendix B. Anyone interested in disaster response is welcome.

           1.2 EMS PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

All EMS certified personnel must be currently protocol certified at their level. (ECA’s have no protocol requirements.) Personnel must score 80 or higher on the protocol test.

                    All paramedics must be currently certified in ACLS.

                    All personnel must have current CPR certification.

All personnel must be current on their protocol requirements, as required by SPEMS protocols, at their level. (This includes required case reviews-4 case reviews per year.)

           1.3 MEETINGS AND TRAINING

There will be a minimum of 4 meetings a year. Anyone not attending at least 2 meetings during the year may be dropped from the roll. Excuses can be accepted, if notification is made in advance.

Training sessions are held throughout the year. Attendance is encouraged. One training session can count for one meeting attendance. Training can consist of activities such as classroom presentations, event standbys, EMS class extrication exercises, or full scale disaster drills.

           1.4 CONDUCT

Members will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Please do not report for activation if you have used alcohol within the past 12 hours. The use of alcohol while activated or reporting for activation under the influence of alcohol will result in immediate dismissal from the Team. Use of illegal drugs in any form will result in immediate dismissal from the Team.

As we are health care providers, it is our goal to present a good example to the public, especially while on special event standbys. Therefore there will be NO tobacco products used while in a RRAMS Team uniform or while representing the RRAMS Team. Tobacco can be used if the member has a jacket without any RRAMS markings and is in a designated smoking area, away from the RRAMS operational area. This includes smokeless tobacco.

Any complaints about a member’s conduct with patients, the public, or other rescuers will be investigated by supervisory personnel and appropriate action taken. Remember: The RRAMS Team is here to help affected areas, not to take over or belittle a local service.

Any member being decertified by their certification agency will be dismissed from the Team.

           1.5 GRIEVANCE PLAN

Anyone having a problem with another member of the Team should first approach that person and attempt to resolve the problem.

Then, if that does not resolve the conflict, the parties should request a meeting, in writing, with the RRAMS Coordinator, who will make the final decision on the matter. There is no appeal from this point.

If the matter involves the RRAMS Coordinator, the final appeal will go to the SPEMS Executive Officers for review and decision.

           1.6 INSURANCE

Each member is responsible for his or her own health insurance coverage. As a volunteer you assume responsibility for yourself.

2.0  ACTIVATION 

           2.1 PRE-COMMAND MODE

The Comm Center will notify the RRAMS Coordinator, or his designate, that a possible incident exists. The notified person will then notify team members via pagers and email. The team leaders may use their discretion about notifying their specific teams.

           2.2   ACTIVATION

When notified that an actual event has occurred, the RRAMS Coordinator, or his designate, will notify the team members   where to meet for movement to the affected area.

            2.3            RESPONDER RESPONSIBILITY

The RRAMS Team must not place a burden on the affected area.
Team members should limit the number of personal vehicles as
much as possible. Team members should have a personal pack, as
detailed in appendix A, in order to provide for their own needs.

            2.4 SOUTH PLAINS REGIONAL RESPONSE UNIT

A trailer, loaded with equipment and supplies, is located in Wolfforth, Texas. It will be taken to the scene by someone in
Lubbock. The RRAMS Coordinator, or his designate, will delegate this responsibility.

            2.5       EMS MEDIAL SUPPORT UNIT

The EMS MSU is stationed in Wolfforth, Texas. The Equipment Officer maintains this vehicle. It functions as a mobile command post, rehab unit or as field clinic on special events.
        

3.0 SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE

The SPEMS RRAMS Team will be available to provide special event coverage throughout the SPEMS and TSA-B regions.

3.1 STAFFING

The coordinator of the specific event will work with the event organizers to determine the staffing requirement for each event. Staffing requirements are dependent on the type of event and number of persons expected to attend. We will mix the staffing with ALL levels of certifications. Members working an event are there for coverage of the specific event. In the event of an emergency in the vicinity of the event, but not on the event grounds, a team can be sent out if the event supervisor so determines and there is adequate manpower. We are there staffing the said event.

           3.2 SCHEDULING
           

After staffing requirements has been determined, scheduling will be
done by the event coordinator. Upcoming events will be posted at
www.rrams.org and/or paged out in order to allow members to sign
up. To sign up, which logs a member in, the member may e-mail
tberry766@sbcglobal.net,  or call 535-6004. A list will be made as members log in for an event. Once members have logged in they are expected to attend the event. Occasionally an event has limited openings for personnel, so in that instance when the event is posted it will state that there are limited openings-personnel will be notified if they are scheduled to staff the event.

If you cannot work an event in which you are scheduled, please call
the event coordinator as soon as possible. Anyone failing to report
for a scheduled event will get a written reprimand on the first
occasion. On the second occurrence, the member will be suspended from special events for 3 months. On a third occurrence, the member will be dismissed from the Team. Emergency reasons will be considered on a case by case basis.

            3.3 UNIFORMS AND ID BADGES  

                        Members working events will be required to wear the uniform as set out in Appendix B. This will allow for easy identification of team members by                    event staff and responding transport services. ID badges will also be required to be worn by all members.

3.4 SUPERVISORS

 

The RRAMS Coordinator will designate supervisors and the current list is found in Appendix C.

3.5 DOCUMENTATION

 

Documentation on ALL events is mandatory. A SPEMS continuation form must be completed for EACH PATIENT CONTACT. This form should only have only pertinent information filled in. If a patient is transported out, give the bottom copy of the continuation form to the transport crew. All documentation must be turned into the RRAMS Coordinator.

3.6 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY USAGE

 

Equipment will be issued to the Event Team Leader (ETL) by the event coordinator. The type of equipment provided depends on the event. As available, each person or team working the event will be issued a belt pack containing; a pocket mask, gloves, 4x4s, kerlix, tape, scissors, and other items as needed. At least one team will have an airway kit and an ALS pack for a rapid response team. A fixed base location will be maintained at most events. The base will also have airway and ALS packs. Any specialized equipment will be issued as needed.

A supply usage form will be used to document all supplies used for the event. The event coordinator will turn this form into the RRAMS Coordinator following the event. This allows for restocking of the packs for the next event.

3.7 TRANSPORTS

 

Transports will be done by the local emergency service provider unless other arrangements have been made. If so, the event coordinator will know in advance of such arrangements. A designated pickup area will be established with the event organizers prior to the start of the event.

3.8 REFUSALS

 

All patient refusals must be documented on the SPEMS Patient Refusal form with a completed narrative on a SPEMS continuation form. Refusal clearance must be obtained on all refusals. This can be done by either an onsite supervisor or by UMC Emergency Department Physician. (The method to be used for the specific event will be designated by the RRAMS Coordinator, or his designate.) Any patient that appears to be intoxicated will have blood glucose level checked before allowing refusal.

3.9 COMMAND STRUCTURE

 

All special event teams will follow the MCI Command structure. EMS Command will be the supervisor for the event. The Treatment Officer will be the EMT-P located at the fixed base location. The Triage Team will be divided into Strike Teams. A minimum of two (2) people will be on each Strike Team. The Triage Officer will be designated by EMS Command and he/she will be on Strike Team Alpha. Strike Team Alpha will also serve as the rapid response team with the airway and ALS packs. This team will roam or pre-stage at a location as dictated by the event. The Triage Officer will place other Strike Teams.

APPENDIX A

PERSONAL PACK

The following is a suggested list of items to have in your personal ready pack. 

Extra Clothes

Sleeping Bag

Toiletry Items

Medications (as needed)

Food and Water to last 24 hours

Gloves (Leather)

Extra Footwear

Towel

APPENDIX B

RRAMS TEAM UNIFORM

Disaster Activation

RRAMS T-shirt

Black Pants (pocket pants or others),

Appropriate Footwear

Caps (RRAMS if worn)

Jackets as needed

Special Events

Special Event Shirt

Black Pants or Khaki Pants (with approval)

           Black Pocket Shorts can be worn in warm weather

Black or White Shoes

RRAMS Cap, if one worn

            Helmets ARE required for anyone riding a bike

APPENDIX C

SUPERVISOR LIST

 The following members are approved Supervisors as of August 25, 2008.

Tim Berry

Bruce Mowrey

Alan Harrison

Adam Berry

Joel Peterson

Kim Jones

Martha Berry