If you ever wondered why the insides of ambulances in the United States look remarkably alike, you can thank the federal “KKK” standards for that. As this article explains,when EMS systems began developing in the early 1970s, the U.S. General Services Administration (USGSA) developed a series of ambulance standards that were used by states to purchase ambulances with assistance from federal block grants. The standards have essentially remained the same since then.
Without evolution, these standards may be contributing to unnecessary injuries or even the deaths of EMS providers.
For example, do you wear a seatbelt in the back of the rig? Chances are very likely that you do not, and the answer for why is simple – you can’t do anything with the patient once you’re belted. Loose items on the bench or shelves become missiles when airborne. And, let’s not mention that the seemingly solid side walls of the box are anything but protective – there’s enough photos on the web to show how easy the ambulance walls crumple and split in a crash.
While there has been controversy over the new NFPA standards, they represent a solid step in the right direction. With design changes that provide greater protection for patients and providers, these new standards will serve as a base for new, safer ambulance designs. We’ll be able to serve our community that much better in the years ahead.
