Ambulance DMV Pre Trip/Check Outs

Have you ever had a partner or someone you relieve say 'The rigs all good', 'There's plenty of O2', 'I checked out all the fluids yesterday, they were good', and 'I checked out the tire pressures'.

GREAT JOB! ...but you still need to do your own checkout. Don't make that mistake of signing off your checkout without doing one. Do it for your own safety and because California Code of Regulations(Well at least I will tell you that I work in California) says you have to.

Responsibility for determining the mechanical safety of the ambulance rests primarily with the driver (13 CCR 1105(f)) and responsibility for equipping and maintaining the vehicle, the owner (13 CCR 1106(c)).

If you are starting to feel complacent at work, you should get back on the responsible train. It's YOUR job and YOUR duty. You are paid to do this and it only take a few hours.

People are really starting to recognize that I take pride in my rig. I spend almost two hours checking out, cleaning, and making sure I am all stocked up. I am still very new at my department and I am constantly tested by Firefighters at my station.

At the end of the day, it's one less thing I need to worry about. Hopefully, if you've gone down the wrong path and have started to get complacent. This post will remind you of why you need to do your checkout EVERY shift.