Improving EMS Worker Safety in the Patient Compartment

Emergency medical services providers (EMSP), the Interagency Board (IAB) and national emergency medical services (EMS) associations expressed the need for safer ambulance design standards to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). In an effort to satisfy this request for support, S&T brought together members of the private sector, EMS leaders, and federal research and development partners. Together, this group aimed to design and develop a family of testing methods based on the crash testing of ambulances and their many components to mirror the development of safety standards found in the civilian automobile industry. The goal was to produce test standards and design recommendations that would lead to the next generation ambulance patient compartment and ultimately a safer work and patient care environment.