Why do I always see ambulances parked in some of the shadiest places in town at all hours of the day /night?

Question

They look so suspicious, like there selling drugs out of the back.I'm sure I couldn't park in some of those places @ those hours of the night without getting arrested.

Answer 1

What you are seeing is called System Status Management. This is a computer system that uses previous call volume data to try and predict where the most likely area for calls is going to be at a given time. These locations are known as "posts". It will then either assign ambulances to those positions in order of probability as they come inservice or move them from other posts as the patterns change. I've worked in a SSM area- It's hit or miss most of the time. As you've noticed however it tends to have the crews sitting in their trucks in some not so nice areas at inopertune times. You have to watch the mirrors and keep the doors locked.

For more info see-

History- http://www.pinnacle-ems.com/Dean-SSM.pdf

Contraversy- http://publicsafety.com/article/article....

- David

Answer 2

Ambulances are sometimes staged waiting for calls.

This gives them a faster response time than returning to their homes to wait for the next call.

Answer 3

Maybe it looks like someones gonna get hurt there real soon.

Answer 4

It's probably because experience has proved that they're likely to be needed in that area before long. Often the case in the pub & club areas of town.

Answer 5

Waiting for bodies.

Answer 6

it depends on the company... some ambulance have to "stage" in certain areas, it might be for visibility or because they are expecting someone to get hurt...  

Answer 7

Because shady places is where lowlifes come to life and when they do the cops ain't that far away and when they meet the lowlife usually get the heads bashed in and that's why ambulances have to be near by.

Answer 8

In our city, EMT's stage all over town.  They will ususally be somewhere the middle of the area the need to respond to so they can get to a call quickly.

Answer 9

So transported people won't be too hot