When ambulance drivers are not on a call, what do they do? Do they return to base and wait for the next shout, or go and have coffee, drive around looking for the next person in need of assistance, go sit in a layby, or what? Always been curious.
2006-08-14 21:47:14 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Where I work we have a station. Here there are 14 stations covering the city. None of ours are hospital based. When we are not on a call we get food, go back to the station and watch TV, goof off, do paperwork, wash the ambulance. There is no set list of things we need to do besides paperwork. We normally restock the ambulance at the hospital after we drop the patient off, and then go back to the station and hang out. The best part is that we get paid to do this.
Volunteers get to go home after a call, and some services don't have a station. They are assigned an intersection to park at, and respond to calls from there. They have to entertain themselves with whatever is around.
For the record emergency medical technicians and paramedics can get offended by being called "ambulance drivers." It implies that we only drive the ambulance, as opposed to highly trained medical professionals. There are many different ambulance services, and all of them do things differently, such as waiting and helping out at a hospital.
2006-08-17 15:47:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In between shouts there are many things that ambulance drivers do. Sometimes they return to base for a meal break or to do station duties (cleaning the vehicle, tidying the station, filling in paperwork etc), but most of the time they go on cover. This is where a certain point in the local area is considered a strategic point for an ambulance crew to sit. Take for example a major road junction. If the ambulance sits on cover at a major road junction they will be able to get to a wider range of locations quicker.
Different ambulance services all do things a bit differently, but this is my experience.
2006-08-15 04:58:43 · answer #2 · answered by Jooles 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, this depends on how the ambulance service is set up. Most full time departments have a set list of things that get done in a day. On my department we start out by checking over the ambulances, cleaning the station, maybe getting some training done, and then on we have our lunch and go to individual projects. Obviously responding to calls is the first priority. After a call, getting our bags/ ambulance back in order is first. From there we go to filling out paperwork. After about 5 or 6 if all of our work is done we have some dinner and watch a little tv. Some days we get a lot of extra stuff done and some days we don't get a chance to have lunch until 10 pm. It all depends on how many and how close together calls occur. On smaller departments (i.e.- rural volunteer services) people may respond straight from home or work, and have weekly or monthly meetings. I hope this answers your question.
2006-08-15 23:02:36 · answer #3 · answered by lakefrontblues 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends, they have to keep the ambulance fully stocked, so they don't run out of anything they need.
some of the ambulances will wait at the base, waiting for a call, having a cup of coffee etc.
while if the ambulances in other county, are called out to a major accident they will move and sit in a lay-by between the two areas to provide cover, so that they are close to both areas, in case either area needs them
2006-08-15 05:09:26 · answer #4 · answered by caprilover79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I've seen, they go back to the hospital and sit in the back of the ambulance until the next call sipping coffee.
If they are medically experienced enough they may help doctors if they aren't on call.
2006-08-15 04:54:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They sit in the rather nice lounge at the base behind the hospital watching TV and cooking readymeals. If they're on a busy night they usually go and buy a coffee in town.
2006-08-15 12:19:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
when there not on call they do whatever they want as they're not getting paid for working. when there not attending to people they have paper work to do, stock up the ambulance with supplies. they actually have quite a bit to do
2006-08-15 04:57:49 · answer #7 · answered by Scottish lass 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know of one rapid pesponse ambulance car that sits in mcdonalds car park, waiting there next call.
2006-08-17 11:23:35 · answer #8 · answered by april 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In between call outs, they sit in the base restroom/canteen, after checking they have got all the necessary supplies on board.
2006-08-15 04:58:23 · answer #9 · answered by k 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I belong to volunteer department so I go back home and do what I was doing before the pager went off. Usually it was yard work because I left my house covered in dirt and mud. Thank goodness for coveralls.
2006-08-15 05:45:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋