|
Post by rector on Jul 14, 2010 10:12:27 GMT
I found this link on the BBC website stating that CFR's are now allowed to use Blue Lights, starting from April 2009............. www.britishvisitor.com/bbc.htm
|
|
|
Post by rector on Jul 14, 2010 10:26:39 GMT
sometimes i can be so dumb.......look at the date on the top of the page lol.....Ah well lol
|
|
|
Post by ambobod on Jul 16, 2010 13:05:01 GMT
Don't worry too much Rector... many were taken in by this last year. Something like this is mooted by someone virtually every year, well at least since 2004 when I first started looking at the issue.
|
|
|
Post by ap on Oct 4, 2010 3:44:52 GMT
Sensible ---------------yes, but illegal since the Road Traffic act only permits a vehicle to use a green light if a medical practitioner registered with the GMC is on board and using it for "an emergency," allbeit without being able to claim RT excemptions.
The use of purple lights by funeral cars is equally illegal and "turning a blind eye" is not sufficient, since it leaves users subject to eing prosecuted by a grumpy " jobsworth" member of the constabulary who got out of the wrong side of the bed.
It would need a change in the law, which unfortunately is just not going to happen!
|
|
|
Post by ap on Oct 4, 2010 3:47:06 GMT
Sorry folks--------------------didn't see the subsequent page, that was in response to the suggestion of using green lights!
|
|
|
Post by southeastresponder on Feb 12, 2011 17:13:31 GMT
Hello, I am a CFR in the south east and before I comment, I don't want blue lights on my car, sirens or permission to break and rules of the road. In the few years I have been a CFR it would have made very little difference and I think attract the wrong people to the scheme that I have seen save lives and help many people.
However, a few people have been trying to make a point that I would like to echo, without talking about blue lights!
Occasionally I arrive on scene and can't find the house or location. Because people can't see who we are they don't know to flag us down. It would be useful to have a standard sign to show who we are that people can see.
If parked and not driving I use a small white flashing light to show people who may be looking that somebody is around, never used when driving and maybe just one call in 50 when lost on the final road and not in traffic.
I don't want to start a debate on the colour of lights, but I agree with others, it can be hard to see us, can anything be done to help?
I don't want to drive fast, move cars out of my path or engage sirens with a big red button.
I care about getting on scene to help and if people could see us better, it would help.
It's hard to have this conversation without people thinking all CFR's want their own toy ambulance.
|
|
|
Post by ap on Apr 5, 2011 10:38:56 GMT
An illuminated CFR sign in the front winow is all that is required together with ambulance control telling the caller to look out for a CFR in a private car would suffice.
Any form of flashing light on a private vehicle, (other than indicators) of whatever colour is illegal and completely uneccessary.
|
|
|
Post by CFR 07288 on Oct 27, 2014 2:39:46 GMT
I think it is pretty safe to say that this debate will rage for many years to come. My own two pence worth is this, I feel that fitting blue lights on a CFR's own private vehicle is simply not practical nor safe. not to mention the huge cost involved for already struggling trusts. The issue in my opinion isn't about the lights themselves its about the risk of accident and injury and off course some of the idiots who would abuse the system. I respond right slap bang in a urban jungle, even a call a few roads away takes a long time to reach, and we have more bloody traffic lights on one road than some towns! it is really frustrating when you get a red call and you are sat behind a learner driver or rush hour traffic.
As a former cop there is an issue of making progress to jobs and I think there is scope to use lights and sirens on pool cars ONLY. we have DRV vehicles in our groups, they have lights fitted but we are not allowed to use them. We pass a driving test before we can crew these vehicles. I think that trusts could devise a modified "make progress" course where on red calls you could use blue lights to drive at normal road speed but road users would let you pass. I also think that trusts need to train and use CFR's better, some are happy to spare a few hours a week here and there and thats fine. Some see it as a route into the service. I know several former CFR's that are no techs in my trust. Its all down to ability and capability of the individuals concerned, its no different PCSO and specials, many years ago specials could not drive on blues. in many forces they do. The bottom line is that like us or hate us we are here to stay, so instead of treating us like wannabes give us the tools and training to COMPLIMENT the pre hospital care system, not replace it. I am very lucky that the paramedics and techs at my local station are amazing, I have been been lucky enough to make friends with a clinical mentor who takes me out on the RRV on a regular basis, I have learnt heaps! and the people who benefit are the patients,
And I disagree with the post about the fact we make mo impact on jobs, tell that to the job I was sent to that came in as a head injury and turned out to be a stabbing. If I hadn't been there he would have bled to death from a neck wound. We are looking at having different levels of CFR in our trust now, it may take time to go through but its happening. Yes we stop the clock, yes its all about number crunching, that's not why I joined, I joined to give something back to my community and I give 24 hours a week doing it as well as running a business. And I love doing it, I get appreciated by the crews, take responsibility over my development, but the issue of getting to jobs quickly is my only gripe. No giving blue lights to CFR's to use on their own vehicles is not the answer, but making use of pool cars better, fund raising and suggesting the idea of a make progress driver training on blue lights similar to the blood service may work. I am talking about my trust where we have DRV (Dynamic Response Vehicles) We also carry entonox on these vehicles and have to be trained to use it. this isnt going to apply to everyone on here. I honestly think that it will take a death were there was a cardiac arrest no RRV or DMA was free but a CFR 5 minuts away was but it took them 10 to 15 to get to the job because of traffic and someone lost their life, there will be uproar, the press will have a field day and maybe then trusts will wake up! it is always reactive never proactive! And yes I knew I wouldnt get to drive on blues I had enough of that in the force! but being called to a red call in a marked DRV with blue lights and sirens, having the ability to use them and not being able to is very difficult and stressful. So there you go, gosh! what a long post! not a solution just a suggestion for my trust for drivers of the drv's. And to all the paras and techs on here you guys do an amazing job, but come on we are here for the patients just like you guys, lets just get on with it.
|
|
|
Post by CFR 07288 on Oct 27, 2014 2:59:21 GMT
Oh one last thing, the debate surrounding green lights and the fact that the vehicle must have a medical practitioner on board has been lost somewhere at one funeral director company in my town, I recently saw a silver private ambulance with a green light bar on the roof displaying the words "AMBULANCE" in the middle of it! I think its pretty safe to say that the person in the back is pretty much beyond any help! unless the company caters for deceased doctors and its on there as a mark of respect! as he or she makes their final call to the fridge! I have seen it several times so plod obviously isn't bothered! mmmmmmmmm
|
|
|
Post by Stu on Aug 24, 2016 9:27:28 GMT
I think cfr on a call should be able to use Green lights. We live in a culture where everyone who drives do not stick to speed limits! Only when they see a camera van or police car... What's the point of having signs on your car if you carnt warn other drivers who you are! Tel me if an ice cream van just had ice cream on it with out its bells would he get any trade! The government need to address this and make the public aware of who or what a CFR is. Green lights I think would definitely help when on call thus showing the presents of a vehicle wishing to get passed. Remember it might be your mum or dad who need a CFR and that few minutes just might save them.
|
|
|
Post by Stu on Aug 24, 2016 12:28:16 GMT
OK, lets look at this plain & simple.... We are dealing with peoples lives and if the ambulance service are busy, then we are the only thing that stands between that person meeting the biggest homeboy of them all that we know as GOD. Now, if a animal doctor can have a blue light and special constables can drive police cars on blue lights, then why can't we? I mean its like sending a TA soldier to war without a gun because he isn't full time..... We dont need to cross white lines, but just use traffic lights as giveways......... After all, we are doing this for free and the last thing we want is to arrive at a call to find out someone died because we were stuck in traffic.........
|
|
|
Post by delta1 on Aug 24, 2016 20:55:28 GMT
Hi Something to add to the Green Light fire...... Have you noticed that the construction vehicles now use a green lights! This is to show to the police they are wearing seat belts! So the Green light is not just for Doctors. I would suggest if the CFR on call Going to an emergency should display a sign at the front and back of the said vehicle with a green light to warn other road users they need to get to someone fast. Stick to the law's of the road like we All do.....Not!! Every minuet counts so everyone keeps saying. Lets get real about this in todays traffic cfr's need help. With the green light on the friend or neighbour waiting outside can wave you down. They will know you are not a doctor as your car says Responder on it. Plus the ambulance control will tel them a responder is on route.
|
|
|
Post by Stu on Aug 25, 2016 12:42:04 GMT
Hi Something to add to the Green Light fire...... Have you noticed that the construction vehicles now use a green lights! This is to show to the police they are wearing seat belts! So the Green light is not just for Doctors. I would suggest if the CFR on call Going to an emergency should display a sign at the front and back of the said vehicle with a green light to warn other road users they need to get to someone fast. Stick to the law's of the road like we All do.....Not!! Every minuet counts so everyone keeps saying. Lets get real about this in todays traffic cfr's need help. With the green light on the friend or neighbour waiting outside can wave you down. They will know you are not a doctor as your car says Responder on it. Plus the ambulance control will tel them a responder is on route.
|
|