Ambulance vs ambulance?

Question

two ambulances on a two way street both with lights and sirens the cars in front have stooped at a red light they are opposite sides of the road what do they do. they both are heading to the same street but that is in the intersection. they are heading to the hospital.

Answer 1

Ok I have run into this problem before in my career. If it is the same service than it is best to radio ahead through your dispatcher in order let the other truck know where you are coming from and change their siren tone so that there are two distinct sounds and the the public know there is more than one emergency vehicle. Because intersections are the most common places for wrecks when responding on emergency calls, the intersection is treated like a four way stop. The first truck to the start of the intersection has the right of way if they are turning right. If they are going staright, it is best to to follow the siren change rule and first come first go basis.  Some Medics/EMT's get so upped up on the adrenaline that everything flies out the window but just remember that even when there are two responding vehicles, safety is top priority. With that in mind, it is better to follow these considerations so both trucks get through the intersection safely and get the patient where they need to be.

1. Contact the dispatcher and coordinate the direction of travel. (What road and what direction you are traveling on that road such as North or west etc.

2. If using the same siren tone change to a different one so that public knows there are two trucks and help prevent an accident.

3. First come, first go (Or one on the drivers can momentarily turn their lights off and flash the headlights to the other truck. This indicates that they may proceed first)

Although these may not apply each time to the scenario you supplied above, here is some advice.

If you are an EMT student and this is a question to one of your tests than follow what your book says and then when you get out on the street adapt to your changing environment. Or as my EMT Instructor once told me, "Once you are done with class, the book is as important as a paper weight because real life changes all the time."

For just a curosity question (and an awesome one by the way) Emergency responders are to operate the vechile with due regard to public safety in mind. That means the same rules apply when driving in an emergency if not doubled . The goal is to get there safely and sometimes it is better to follow the other truck rather than making more patients by trying to be first or harming yourself, partner and patient further when you are trying to help them by getting to the hospital and instead delay definitive care.

Answer 2

**Applauds Mystic's answer**  Now can you come to where I am and knock it into my co-worker's heads?