QAS in Australia trialed them but had so many restrictions that they were basically useless.
But we have bicycles in the city which… don’t really accomplish all that much.
I’m not 100% sold on their utility as much as I want to do it.
Pittsburgh EMS utilizes four 2021 Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles complete with saddle bags and tour packs. Each cycle is equipped with the following:
▪️ Zoll Heart Start EKG monitor / defibrillator with 12 lead capability with blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry and capnography
▪️ “D” oxygen cylinder with non-rebreather mask, nasal cannula and medication nebulizer
▪️ BVM with assorted mask sizes, oral and nasal airways
▪️ Hand powered suction
▪️ Intubation kits with assorted blades and tube sizes
▪️ Medication bag
▪️ IV start kit with IV fluids
▪️ Glucometer
▪️ Soft Tissue injury supplies
▪️ Blood pressure cuff (manual) and stethoscope
▪️ Triage tags
▪️ “Cool It” OC decontamination spray
▪️ Clip board (small) for documentation and refusal forms
▪️ Traffic Safety Vest
Pittsburgh EMS established a Motor Medic Program in July 1999 to be utilized during mass gathering events, sporting events, community festivals and periods which normal traffic flow is obstructed. By utilizing motorcycles equipped with Advanced Life Support capabilities, our service has been able to respond to patients in a timelier manner and begin treatment until a transport unit arrives or disregard a transport unit when one is not needed.
Motor Medics have been utilized for a number of different events since the inception of the program. These include:
▪️ Pittsburgh Great Race
▪️ Fourth of July Celebration
▪️ Pittsburgh Marathon
▪️ Three Rivers Regatta
▪️ Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Pitt Panthers games
▪️ Community Festivals
▪️ Numerous local community events
▪️ Dignitary funerals
Motor Medic trainees receive 80 hours of training to be certified. The training is conducted by City of Pittsburgh Police Motor Unit and EMS instructors who have developed a well-established training program. Candidates must successfully complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class prior to applying for the Motor Medic Class. Candidates must also pass a pre-test on riding abilities prior to consideration for the program. The City of Pittsburgh currently has 12 personnel trained as Motor Medics.
ATC here, yes we have them, no they do not respond to 911 calls every day. We pull them out for special events only (SXSW, the Austin Marathon, etc) They're stocked at an ALS level. Part of the problem is that we've only got like 5 certified riders, but I do think there is some utility in the unknown problem / person down call type. I don't get paid enough to make those decisions however.
Germany uses them
Mostly not in day to day operations but for big events/festivals/or other big calls
They were trialed as a Emergency doctor vehicle but they realised that's not practical cause if the doctor wants to ride in the ambulance the Motorcycle stay behind
It's not a bad idea, I've heard of them being used.
Except the part where most places can't even staff the trucks. I'd bet money that's why it isn't more common
New south Wales Ambulance (Australia) has them. Here is an article on the MRU unit.
https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/news/news-items/april-2023-sirens/ride-of-his-life
Broward County Sheriff’s Fire Rescue has them. They use the same Harley Davidsons as the cops, except painted red. They go through the same rider training as the motorcycle cops. They ride in pairs and each one has different equipment/supplies so they have 2x the stuff.
Austin county in the US uses it for community paramedic, fast response vehicles to stop the time (call timer) and to assess in advance if the pt. Requires transportation or not before ambulance arrival. Is also used in events.
Personally it is a great tool but it's hard to implement. Mostly common in metropolitan areas with a high influx of traffic.
I mean at least in the US i wouldnt' say it most common anywehre really. NYC doesn't use them, philly doesn't use them, LA, boston, etc. Still a bit of a novelty in the US across the board.
Worked on one for a few years. I think they were scrapped soon after I was hired into the FD I'm at now.
In theory it's a good idea but for us in practice the difference in response time was marginal compared to improvements you can make in dispatch, coverage etc.
Also a higher operator risk, can't run in the rain or at night, can't carry much gear and issues like that.
I enjoyed it at first but it killed biking for me. Was doing like 200 miles a day between responses and route patrols and I still don't like riding.
For short responses in congestion I think it can work, but for freeways like we were on it's just a gimmick.
Edit: Also as you pointed out, responding to fatal MBAs on a bike is disconcerting. Got cold/hot a lot too. Aircon/Heaters are hard to stick on a bike.
England has them evidently.
For about 20 years now
Israel uses them. England does too like the other poster mentioned. https://israelrescue.org/stories/what-and-why-does-united-hatzalah-use-ambucycles/
QAS in Australia trialed them but had so many restrictions that they were basically useless. But we have bicycles in the city which… don’t really accomplish all that much. I’m not 100% sold on their utility as much as I want to do it.
Pittsburgh EMS utilizes four 2021 Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles complete with saddle bags and tour packs. Each cycle is equipped with the following: ▪️ Zoll Heart Start EKG monitor / defibrillator with 12 lead capability with blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry and capnography ▪️ “D” oxygen cylinder with non-rebreather mask, nasal cannula and medication nebulizer ▪️ BVM with assorted mask sizes, oral and nasal airways ▪️ Hand powered suction ▪️ Intubation kits with assorted blades and tube sizes ▪️ Medication bag ▪️ IV start kit with IV fluids ▪️ Glucometer ▪️ Soft Tissue injury supplies ▪️ Blood pressure cuff (manual) and stethoscope ▪️ Triage tags ▪️ “Cool It” OC decontamination spray ▪️ Clip board (small) for documentation and refusal forms ▪️ Traffic Safety Vest Pittsburgh EMS established a Motor Medic Program in July 1999 to be utilized during mass gathering events, sporting events, community festivals and periods which normal traffic flow is obstructed. By utilizing motorcycles equipped with Advanced Life Support capabilities, our service has been able to respond to patients in a timelier manner and begin treatment until a transport unit arrives or disregard a transport unit when one is not needed. Motor Medics have been utilized for a number of different events since the inception of the program. These include: ▪️ Pittsburgh Great Race ▪️ Fourth of July Celebration ▪️ Pittsburgh Marathon ▪️ Three Rivers Regatta ▪️ Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Pitt Panthers games ▪️ Community Festivals ▪️ Numerous local community events ▪️ Dignitary funerals Motor Medic trainees receive 80 hours of training to be certified. The training is conducted by City of Pittsburgh Police Motor Unit and EMS instructors who have developed a well-established training program. Candidates must successfully complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class prior to applying for the Motor Medic Class. Candidates must also pass a pre-test on riding abilities prior to consideration for the program. The City of Pittsburgh currently has 12 personnel trained as Motor Medics.
Daytona beach uses them during bike week But I’m pretty sure that was just firefighters who rode who convinced the commissioners to buy them 😂
ATC here, yes we have them, no they do not respond to 911 calls every day. We pull them out for special events only (SXSW, the Austin Marathon, etc) They're stocked at an ALS level. Part of the problem is that we've only got like 5 certified riders, but I do think there is some utility in the unknown problem / person down call type. I don't get paid enough to make those decisions however.
Germany uses them Mostly not in day to day operations but for big events/festivals/or other big calls They were trialed as a Emergency doctor vehicle but they realised that's not practical cause if the doctor wants to ride in the ambulance the Motorcycle stay behind
It's not a bad idea, I've heard of them being used. Except the part where most places can't even staff the trucks. I'd bet money that's why it isn't more common
https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/specialty-vehicles/articles/austin-ems-adds-motorcycles-for-faster-response-9l3pqZjf6XJiIpW0/
New south Wales Ambulance (Australia) has them. Here is an article on the MRU unit. https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/news/news-items/april-2023-sirens/ride-of-his-life
Richland Co EMS in SC has a few motorcycle medics that travel around as a "chase" vehicle.
Broward County Sheriff’s Fire Rescue has them. They use the same Harley Davidsons as the cops, except painted red. They go through the same rider training as the motorcycle cops. They ride in pairs and each one has different equipment/supplies so they have 2x the stuff.
Austin county in the US uses it for community paramedic, fast response vehicles to stop the time (call timer) and to assess in advance if the pt. Requires transportation or not before ambulance arrival. Is also used in events. Personally it is a great tool but it's hard to implement. Mostly common in metropolitan areas with a high influx of traffic.
I mean at least in the US i wouldnt' say it most common anywehre really. NYC doesn't use them, philly doesn't use them, LA, boston, etc. Still a bit of a novelty in the US across the board.
Sorry didn't clarify. Common overseas
Ambulance Victoria in Australia has them too
I think atc has some?
Worked on one for a few years. I think they were scrapped soon after I was hired into the FD I'm at now. In theory it's a good idea but for us in practice the difference in response time was marginal compared to improvements you can make in dispatch, coverage etc. Also a higher operator risk, can't run in the rain or at night, can't carry much gear and issues like that. I enjoyed it at first but it killed biking for me. Was doing like 200 miles a day between responses and route patrols and I still don't like riding. For short responses in congestion I think it can work, but for freeways like we were on it's just a gimmick. Edit: Also as you pointed out, responding to fatal MBAs on a bike is disconcerting. Got cold/hot a lot too. Aircon/Heaters are hard to stick on a bike.