Response to Pri 4 Falls – General Order 5.18.03

Effective immediately, the following changes will be made to our responses to all Priority 4 falls (the 17 EMD Card)
1. The closest ambulance will be sent to the scene. When resources allow a BLS ambulance may be
dispatched along with an ALS crew. The decision to send a BLS resource as well as the ALS resource will
be at the discretion of the communications specialist on duty or the duty officer.
2. If a BLS resource is dispatched and an ALS crew determines there is a need for the BLS ambulance to
continue they will relay that to the CHS comm. Specialist or ECD.

Special considerations:
1. If, while responding to a call, a higher priority call is received, the responding ALS ambulance will divert to the higher
priority if they are the closest unit to the priority call.
2. The use of lights and sirens can be utilized at discretion of the crew on all fall related calls based on but not limited
to the following factors: additional dispatch information, patient location, i.e. outside v. inside, public v. private,
ambient temperature, distance from scene.

Background: This adjustment to responses is part of our ongoing commitment to serve in the best interest of the patients
in our community. Our current status management states that the BLS ambulance will respond to all calls within 20
minutes as defined in the regional standards. We have determined that such a delay is not always in the best interest of
the patient. The goal of this change is to address those patients who remain on the ground after falling, those who have
fallen outside which could potentially suffer from environmental exposures, and those who have fallen in public places.