Appendix F2 Invitation State

Appendix F2: State EMS Interview Request for a NHSTA Research Effort to

Characterize Ground Ambulance Operator Training in EMS Systems

Finding ways to reduce ambulance crashes is of interest to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Operator training is one method that human factors professionals have used in virtually all domains to reduce human error and thereby increase the safety of operations. Although training for ground ambulance operators has been repeatedly identified as an important step in the emergency medical services safety system, not much is known about the extent and quality of such training taking place across the United States.

Study Objective

The objective of this project is to characterize ambulance operator training across the United States. We are interested in learning if and how agencies providing emergency medical services train anyone who gets behind the wheel and operates an ambulance on the roadway. The results of this study will allow the States and EMS community to not only understand how others across the United States provide and regulate training, but create a foundation on which to build future evidence-based training curricula or provide better guidance to agencies on best practices.

How You Can Help

You will be contacted by a member of the project staff and asked to take part in an informal discussion that focuses on laws, rules, and regulations governing ground ambulance operation, including training and education requirements in your State. You will be asked a variety of questions about the training required or provided to anyone who gets behind the wheel and operates an ambulance on the roadway in your State. The entire discussion should take less than 60 minutes to complete. Participation in the study is voluntary, and your responses will be summarized at the State and National level.