EMS Information Cards
Wishard Ambulance Service Educates Public on Steps to Take During an Emergency
May 10, 2006
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis - Every day the Wishard Ambulance Service and its team of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics must be ready to respond to an emergency at a moment's notice. Every second can literally make the difference between life and death.
To assist in making sure EMTs and paramedics have the information needed to assess the situation and respond in the most appropriate manner, the Wishard Ambulance Service has started an educational campaign to provide tips and answer questions about what to do during an emergency. The campaign's kickoff coincides with Emergency Medical Services Week, May 14 through May 20.
"It is important for the public to realize that if they do see an emergency and someone is in need of medical care, there are some simple steps that can be taken that can greatly help the person or persons in need of care, but also the paramedics in route to the emergency," said Dr. Michael Olinger, medical director, Wishard Ambulance Service and associate professor of clinical emergency medicine at the IU School of Medicine.
Dr. Olinger said there are several steps a person can take during an emergency. He said perhaps the most important thing to do is to remain calm and keep the injured or ill person awake and warm while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Dr. Olinger also stressed the importance of listening to the directions of the 911 emergency dispatchers.
"These dispatchers have special training and will ask you a series of questions which will quickly allow them to send the most appropriate emergency responders and equipment to your emergency. It is important to remain calm and answer their questions clearly," Dr. Olinger said. "Do not hang up until they instruct you to do so. Once they have dispatched the emergency responders they will talk you through potentially life-saving first aid that you can perform while awaiting the responders."
Some things to avoid include moving a person who has been in a car accident or had a serious fall, or who was found unconscious. In addition, never give an injured person food or a drink. It is best for the EMTs and paramedics on the scene to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
Dr. Olinger also stressed the importance of being on the lookout for the ambulance by making sure your location's address is clearly visible from the street. The quicker the ambulance locates the emergency, the quicker the injured or ill person can be stabilized and transported to the hospital.
Wishard is home to one of the oldest and largest hospital-based ambulance services in the country. The Wishard Ambulance Service provides the 911 emergency ambulance services to the city of Indianapolis and Decatur Township as well as the town of Speedway and the city of Beech Grove. It staffs a fleet of 25 advanced life-support ambulances that are strategically placed throughout Marion County, 18 of which are in operation at any given time and respond to more than 65,000 calls for help annually.
The Wishard Ambulance Service also provides EMT and paramedic services for the Indianapolis Colts during their home games, the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, as well as coverage for Indy Racing League, Formula One and NASCAR events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Wishard Ambulance Service will be handing out information cards throughout the spring and summer with tips for the public to follow while waiting for an ambulance to arrive at an emergency. The cards offer important information that will assist both the patient and the emergency responders. The cards can also be obtained by calling Kelly Apple of the Wishard Ambulance Service at (317) 630-7310.