Steve and I met the county inspector in mid-December to complete the annual ambulance inspection process. First the good news: both ambulance rigs passed the 2010 inspection and the licenses for BLS with IV transport have been renewed. However, the inspection process was not flawless.

For those who don’t know, the inspector has a specific list of equipment that must be available on the rigs. All of the equipment is subject to scrutiny for availability and appro- priate working order. It is a complete inspection from front bumper to rear bumper. Cleanliness is also a factor.

It was discovered during the inspection that the French catheters (all sizes) on Medic 71 had been removed from the rig. Fortunately, an extra set was available in inventory and they have been replaced. French catheters are equip- ment that must be in place on the rigs at all times.

Without going into the specifics, I want to be absolutely clear about one thing: leaving trash behind in the stiff neck bag, or anywhere else on the rig for that matter, is completely unacceptable. If you work out of a rig or out of one of the bags from a rig you are responsible for ensuring that the bag or rig is completely restocked if necessary and that all trash is properly disposed of. You are also responsible for seeing to it that the rigs are put back into service in clean, working, fueled-up order, ready for the next call. This is just common respect and courtesy for your col- leagues and patients. Everyone on scene shares this re- sponsibility, not just the driver of the rig. We all want to go home as quickly as we can after a call and if we all share in the responsibilities going home occurs faster for everyone. If you leave a scene and go directly home, you need to ask yourself how fair that decision is and what tasks you left others with through that action. No single individual in this department is any busier than the next member. At the very minimum every person on scene should ask if their help is needed to put rigs back into service. Calls don’t end until apparatus is ready to roll again. If you have any questions about this or believe that you are an exception to this rule please see me.

Will and I are working on a plan to put in place internal monthly inspections of both rigs using as a basis the county/state inspection lists. This should help ensure that necessary equipment is available at all times and that the rigs are inspection-ready at any moment. More impor- tantly, it will help ensure proper patient care, which is our highest priority.