trucks idling

Silver_Star

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So recently my company has decided that when we get posted (our posts are parking lots), we are no longer allowed to idle and keep our trucks on. Is it legal to keep us in freezing trucks?
 
Might not be illegal, but I'd refuse to sit in a turned off truck for more than a minute or two. No AC or heat, no radio, can't even charge cell phone battery and I'd imagine even if the temp was alright it's get stuffy from lack of air circulation.

But I've never been in a truck where the main radio works when the trucks turned off so I've never encountered that problem.
 
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Agreed.

If challenged by management, id state I was keeping it at an acceptable level for patient care. If they continue to moan id find other ways to circumvent the rule, such as driving around in circles in a parking lot.
 
Silver_Star said:
So recently my company has decided that when we get posted (our posts are parking lots), we are no longer allowed to idle and keep our trucks on. Is it legal to keep us in freezing trucks?
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Do you have diesel or gas rigs? Diesel trucks will idle forever without using much gas, so it's not economically unfeasible to let them idle if you are using diesel rigs. If so, see if you can reason with your superiors, its at least worth a shot.
 
in California it is illegal to idle a diesel engine longer than 5 min.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/hdvidle/hdvidle.htm

this regulation was put in place in 2005 to include only Semi tractor-trailors. and ammeded in 2006 to include any truck larger than 3/4ton used for commercial use (Private ambulances specifically included, except when on an emergency scene). this is from the California Air Resource Board.

your company may just be forwarding you the information. the may not intend to enforce it. i would ask your supervisor why they are implementing this program.

I realize you arent in California, however i know we arent the only state with emission issues. it may be a new law for you too.
 
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If challenged by management, id state I was keeping it at an acceptable level for patient care.
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Exactly.

Are you going to wait for the truck to heat up before transporting a hypothermic patient?
 
Our trucks are diesel. I was just curious since its getting damn cold! 30 degrees is not fun!
 
I love how you all are thinking about patient care/comfort.. that never even crossed my mind. I was just thinking about Sasha comfort.
 
We are expected to idle our trucks in the winter if we aren't parked in the bay at the firehouse. The reason we were given was so that the truck isn't getting super cold & then warmed back up again & the effects that could have on the drugs in the back. It also keeps it comfortable for when we do put a pt in the back.
 
Here, unless the module is tempature controled via other methods, the state would have something to say about how your storing medical supplies.

Personally, if where I worked was being so chickensh!t as to leave me without even a generator powered box to stay warm in, I'd look for other employment.
 
Sasha said:
I love how you all are thinking about patient care/comfort.. that never even crossed my mind. I was just thinking about Sasha comfort.
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But Sasha, you're cold hearted, you should be just fine with the heat off in the winter :D
 
Linuss said:
But Sasha, you're cold hearted, you should be just fine with the heat off in the winter :D
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Yeah but the kittens I eat for breakfast meow too much when they're cold. Do you know how annoying it is to eat a meowing kitten?
 
socalmedic said:
in California it is illegal to idle a diesel engine longer than 5 min.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/hdvidle/hdvidle.htm

this regulation was put in place in 2005 to include only Semi tractor-trailors. and ammeded in 2006 to include any truck larger than 3/4ton used for commercial use (Private ambulances specifically included, except when on an emergency scene). this is from the California Air Resource Board.

your company may just be forwarding you the information. the may not intend to enforce it. i would ask your supervisor why they are implementing this program.

I realize you arent in California, however i know we arent the only state with emission issues. it may be a new law for you too.
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is it really? damn. I live and work out here in socal and have sat and idled for hours before. at the time i posted this, i hadnt read the article. but does it go into detail what the fine for idling longer is?
 
MedJPavlo said:
is it really? damn. I live and work out here in socal and have sat and idled for hours before. at the time i posted this, i hadnt read the article. but does it go into detail what the fine for idling longer is?
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this is the 2005 document, couldn't find the 2006 addendum so you may not find the light duty clause. i dont know what the fine is, but in CA with out you having a commercial license the fine goes to the company. I dont think there is an LEO anywhere who will enforce it anyway, it is mostly a CHP thing. additionally in 2008 they made another revision because of the new ford exhaust system which puts out almost no particulate at idle there are exceptions now. there should be a shinny sticker above the exhaust pipe if you are exempt. they are mostly on smaller big rigs. if you look it will say "CARB EXEMPT" and "CLEAN IDLE" i wouldnt worry about it in your ambulance, i have gotten away with it for 5 years now without so much as a warning from a SUP. they post the notice every 6 months or so in the station.
 
Sasha said:
I love how you all are thinking about patient care/comfort.. that never even crossed my mind. I was just thinking about Sasha comfort.
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For weather extremes, I view it as if I'm comfortable, the patient will be reasonable comfortable. The temp can always be fine tuned, but 50 degrees is going to be cold to anyone.
 
Linuss said:
...If they continue to moan id find other ways to circumvent the rule, such as driving around in circles in a parking lot.
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Circumvention by circumnavigation, LOL! :D
 
This is probably an obvious question and I am sure you wouldn't be posting this thread if the answer was yes, but do you guys have the auxiliary generators on your box, or is everything run from the main engine of the ambulance?

I used to work for a service that was in Frazier ambulances and they had a generator that ran the entire box module...so you could run the generator with the engine off and still maintain a tolerable temperature in the patient and crew cabin. This is really a great design in my opinion...

Looking at the subject objectively though, it doesn't make much sense to not allow you to maintain the temperature in the patient and crew compartment, especially if you are not posting in a building. I am sure the department of health and other regulators of EMS in your area have something to say about maintaining the temps of your meds. I know here in Texas our meds had to be in a temperature controlled atmosphere all the time, and we had to take special precautions for cold meds, as they could become ineffective if allowed to get hot. Lastly, has anyone tried to get all the crystals to dissolve in 40 degree mannitol? Not fun when you really need to hang it!

TE
 
socalmedic said:
this is the 2005 document, couldn't find the 2006 addendum so you may not find the light duty clause. i dont know what the fine is, but in CA with out you having a commercial license the fine goes to the company. I dont think there is an LEO anywhere who will enforce it anyway, it is mostly a CHP thing. additionally in 2008 they made another revision because of the new ford exhaust system which puts out almost no particulate at idle there are exceptions now. there should be a shinny sticker above the exhaust pipe if you are exempt. they are mostly on smaller big rigs. if you look it will say "CARB EXEMPT" and "CLEAN IDLE" i wouldnt worry about it in your ambulance, i have gotten away with it for 5 years now without so much as a warning from a SUP. they post the notice every 6 months or so in the station.
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ok thank you for the explanation:beerchug:
 
WTEngel said:
This is probably an obvious question and I am sure you wouldn't be posting this thread if the answer was yes, but do you guys have the auxiliary generators on your box, or is everything run from the main engine of the ambulance?

I used to work for a service that was in Frazier ambulances and they had a generator that ran the entire box module...so you could run the generator with the engine off and still maintain a tolerable temperature in the patient and crew cabin. This is really a great design in my opinion...

Looking at the subject objectively though, it doesn't make much sense to not allow you to maintain the temperature in the patient and crew compartment, especially if you are not posting in a building. I am sure the department of health and other regulators of EMS in your area have something to say about maintaining the temps of your meds. I know here in Texas our meds had to be in a temperature controlled atmosphere all the time, and we had to take special precautions for cold meds, as they could become ineffective if allowed to get hot. Lastly, has anyone tried to get all the crystals to dissolve in 40 degree mannitol? Not fun when you really need to hang it!

TE
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No generators. We don't carry meds either. On an EMT-B cert there is nothing you can really give. Though I wish NJ would use the EMT-I. So I guess I'm doomed to freezing. I should start stocking up on snuggies and heat packs!
 
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