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EMS Unit Specifications

Emergency medical services (EMS) refer to the medical care and treatment that paramedics and EMTs (emergency medical technicians) provide to those in their community. EMS providers rely on ambulance units for transportation and as a place where they can perform patient care. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) determines the specifications that ambulances must meet in order to pass inspection that is required before they are permitted for use on the road. Individual states may have their own specification requirements in addition to those provided by the DOT. Ambulance, equipment and navigation tools are examples of the specifications required for an EMS unit.

  1. Ambulance Specifications

    • Emergency light and siren specifications are required by the DOT or individual states. These lights must be located in several locations on the ambulance, including the front, sides and back, to increase its visibility. Lights should strobe to grab the attention of other drivers on the road. They should also be red and white in color. Sirens should provide a variety of tones that are designed to bounce off buildings and cars, allowing the sounds to travel. An air horn can assist EMS providers in warning drivers of their presence.

    Equipment Specifications

    • The DOT requires that specific equipment be kept on ambulances at all times. Items such as a defibrillator or fire extinguisher, medications and other medical supplies must be kept on each ambulance. How the supplies are to be stored is also included within the DOT ambulance unit specifications list. For example, narcotic medications, which are used by EMS providers to treat pain, must be locked in a secured location. Temperatures at which drugs are stored may also be included within the specification.

    Navigation Supplies

    • Navigation supplies must be located on each ambulance. They allow EMS providers to map routes to their calls. They also prevent delays in treatment that would occur if the ambulance got lost en route to the emergency. Navigation supplies include response area maps, global positioning systems or direction books. Direction books are books made by the ambulance company that contain written directions and routes to various health care facilities within the response area. Navigation supplies should be kept in the front of the ambulance where they can be accessed easily when needed.

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