1098 - Ride Alongs

Question 1

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Receiving requests for citizen observer ride-alongs.
2. Approving or denying those requests in accordance with the rules set forth in this document.
3. Notifying the requester whether the ride-along has been approved
4. Corresponding with approved citizen observers in accordance with Section 6.0.
5. Notifying the Administrative Paramedic Supervisor when an approved citizen observer has submitted all required documents and is ready to be scheduled for a ride-along on an ALS transport unit.
6. Scheduling citizen observer ride-alongs on engines, trucks and/or fireboats.
7. Coordinating the scheduled ride-along with the appropriate Officer and Battalion Chief.
8. Maintaining this document.

Answer 1

The Deputy Chief of Support Services

Question 2

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Receiving requests for EMS professional and EMS student ride-alongs.
2. Approving or denying those requests in accordance with the rules set forth in this document.
3. Notifying the requestor whether the ride-along has been approved.
4. Correspondence with approved EMS students and EMS professionals in accordance with Section 6.0.
5. Coordinating with the TFD Education Program Director to schedule citizen observer, EMS professional and EMS student ride-alongs on ALS transport units.
6. Coordinating the scheduled ride-along with the appropriate In-Charge Paramedic and Battalion Chief.

Answer 2

The Administrative Paramedic Supervisor

Question 3

N95 Mask.

Answer 3

A NIOSH certified respirator with a filter efficiency level of 95% or greater against particulate aerosols free of oil when tested against a 0.3 micron particle.

Question 4

TFD will consider ride-along requests from three categories of individuals who are not uniformed members of the Tacoma Fire Department:

Answer 4

a. Citizen observers
b. EMS professionals
c. EMS students

Question 5

All requests for ride-alongs noted above shall be referred to the _____________________for approval prior to riding on any TFD apparatus, including fireboats.

Answer 5

TFD Deputy Chief of Support Services (citizen observers) or the Administrative Paramedic Supervisor (EMS professionals and students)

Question 6

Exceptions to rule 5.1 (general guidelines for ride alongs) above may occur:

Answer 6

a. At the discretion of the Deputy Chief of Operations for a ride-along of any duration; or
b. At the discretion of the Assistant Chief for Emergency Medical Services or the Medical Services Officer for ride-alongs of any duration by EMS professionals who are involved with TFD’s paramedic training program; or
c. At the discretion of the Incident Commander or In-Charge Paramedic for a ride-along of limited duration when the ride-along would clearly serve the needs of the incident or be in the best interests of the Tacoma Fire Department.
Examples include a patient’s immediate family member riding in a transport unit to the hospital or a citizen being evacuated from hazardous situation.

Question 7

Active participation in TFD operations is restricted to:

Answer 7

EMS activities, and then typically only by EMS students.

Question 8

Citizen observers shall not participate in patient care.

True or false?

Answer 8

True

Question 9

In the rare event that is necessary for riders who are EMS professionals to participate actively in patient care, it must be done in accordance with:

Answer 9

Pierce County Patient Care Protocols

Question 10

Riders shall not participate in fire suppression activities or hazardous materials mitigation under any circumstances.
True or false?

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Riders are allowed to operate any TFD apparatus, under some circumstances.
True or false?

Answer 11

False. Riders shall not operate any TFD apparatus.

Question 12

The Officer or In-Charge Paramedic, at his/her discretion, may restrict the rider to the apparatus in order to protect the rider’s safety and emotional well being relative to the sights and sounds of the emergency scene.
True or false?

Answer 12

True

Question 13

The Officer or In-Charge Paramedic shall terminate a ride-along if the rider is:

Answer 13

not following directions, is not dressed appropriately, and/or if continuing the ride-along would not be in the best interests of TFD and/or the rider.

Question 14

The Officer or In-Charge Paramedic shall promptly notify ____________ of any ride-along termination.

Answer 14

the Deputy Chief of Support Services or Administrative Paramedic Supervisor

Question 15

Rider requirements

1. Citizen observers must be at least __________
2. Riders shall observe all TFD safety rules, including _______
3. Riders must wear appropriate attire at all times.
   a. Appropriate attire includes ___________
4. Riders are specifically prohibited from wearing _______
5. Riders shall not actively participate in patient care or ride in the patient compartment when a patient is present or be within six feet of a patient unless s/he has had:
   a. b. c. d. e.
6. Any rider who will be actively participating in patient care, riding in the patient compartment when a patient is present and/or who at any time will be within six feet of a patient, must supply his/her own ________ unless s/he has been fit-tested on the same brand and size carried by TFD.

Answer 15

1. 16 years of age.
2. use of seat belts.
3. dark slacks and collared shirts or blouses.
4. jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, t-shirts (unless as an undershirt) and body piercing.
5. a. Training in airborne and bloodborne pathogens within the last year
   b. TB (tuberculosis) screening within the last year
   c. Immunizations to include Hepatitis B and MMR (measles-mumps- rubella)
   d. Training in patient confidentiality
   e. Fit-testing for a N-95 mask
6. N-95 mask,

Question 16

Requesting a ride-along

Answer 16

1. All requests for ride-alongs must be:
   a. Made in writing on TFD’s Ride-Along Request form
   b. Submitted to the Deputy Chief of Support Services or the Administrative Paramedic Supervisor for approval and scheduling
2. The written requests also must include the following additional information:
   a. EMS professionals, except physicians and physician assistants, must include a letter from his/her employer officially endorsing the ride-along.
   b. EMS students must include a letter from his/her training program manager certifying that the student has had training in airborne/bloodborne pathogens and patient confidentiality.
   i. The letter also must certify that the student has been fit- tested for a N-95 mask.
   c. Citizen observers must provide documentation clearly stating the reason for their request Example: High school students working on a “job shadow” project must submit documentation regarding the class assignment.
   d. Citizen observers under 18 years of age must provide written permission for the ride-along from a parent or legal guardian.

Question 17

Ride-Along Scheduling

Answer 17

1. No rider will be scheduled until the department receives a signed Ride- Along Fact and Instruction Sheet and the TFD Consent/Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement.
2. Generally, only one rider at a time should be assigned to a TFD apparatus.
3. EMS students enrolled in TFD training programs will have priority over all other riders.
4. Ride-alongs should begin no earlier than 0730 and conclude no later than 2200.
   a. The exception to this is paramedic students from non-TFD programs who may be scheduled for 24-hour shifts, similar to TFD paramedic students.

Question 18

PROCEDURE FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITH APPROVED RIDERS

Deputy Chief of Support Services or Administrative Paramedic Supervisor

Answer 18

1. Call the requestor to notify him/her that his/her ride-along has been approved and s/he will be receiving the following documents by mail:
   a. TFD Consent/Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement
   b. Ride-Along Fact and Instruction Sheet
   c. TFD Notice of Your Rights to Medical Services
2. Advise the requestor that the ride-along will not be scheduled until s/he signs and returns the Ride-Along Fact and Instruction Sheet and the TFD Consent/Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement
3. After receiving the signed documents, notify the requestor of date, time, and location of his/her ride along.

Question 19

PROCEDURE FOR RIDER ORIENTATION

Officers and In-charge Paramedics

Answer 19

1. Promptly greet the rider upon his/her arrival at the station.
2. Using the laminated checklist for Ride-Alongs as a guide, review safety and patient confidentiality with the rider.
3. Answer any questions the rider may have.