DRIVECAM PROGRAM

 January 30 2006

The DriveCam system has been installed in all Mon Valley EMS vehicles to identify and improve risky driving behavior. It includes a dual-lens video camera that is mounted to the windshield of the vehicle and records sights and sounds inside and outside the driving compartment of the emergency vehicle. Using an omni-directional, infrared light source, the DriveCam Illuminator shines an invisible light within the vehicle's interior.  The camera, records a 20-second loop of activity outside the vehicle and in the driver's compartment when activated by a sudden stop, a sharp turn or any other jarring movement. 10-seconds before and 10-seconds after the event that activated the camera.  The camera can also can be turned on manually by our staff and will record 20-seconds.

Statistics show that ambulances are one of the most often damaged vehicles on the road; in Pennsylvania, one ambulance is involved in some type of accident each day, according to the E.M.S.I.

The DriveCam program at Mon Valley EMS began because of a safety initiative program sponsored by the Emergency Medical Service Institute (E.M.S.I.).  The camera program was one component of a two-year initiative designed to provide better safety in all aspects of EMS response.

E.M.S.I. is a regional emergency council under the Pennsylvania Department of Health office of emergency medical services, which oversees the training, licensing and certification of pre-hospital medical care and the ambulance services that provide it.  It covers 147 ambulance services, two medical helicopter flight programs and some 5,000 emergency medical professionals in a 10-county area of southwestern Pennsylvania that stretches north to Mercer County and east to Somerset County.

The cameras, which cost approximately $1,200 each and are being provided through a $350,000 state grant, are being offered to ambulance services on a voluntary basis, with each participating service permitted to keep the units after one year.

In addition to improving driving habits other benefits to this program include decreased vehicle maintenance costs and better liability determination in the event of an accident.

	Medic 515 - 1988 Ford Medtec Type 3 ALS
	Medic 516 - 1995 Freightliner Type 1 ALS E.M.S. S.T.
	Medic 517 - 1997 Ford Medtec Type 2 ALS
	Medic 518 - 2000 Ford Medtec Type 2 ALS
	Medic 519 - 2001 Ford Medtec Type 2 ALS
	Medic 520 - 1995 Freightliner Type 1 ALS E.M.S. S.T.
	Rescue 570 - 2007 Ford F-350 Rescue Paramedic Response Unit
	Rescue 571 - 1988 HUM-V Model 966A1 Paramedic Response Unit
	Rescue 571 -
	Rescue 571 & Half - Pioneer Trailer Haz Mat Decon Unit
	Rescue 572 - 1992 HINO Rescue Truck
	Region 13 Mass Casualty Trailer - MC3
	Medic 577 - 2005 Wheeled Coach Type 2 ALS
	SOV 579 - 2001 Ford Expedition
	Medic 6691 - 2003 Special Coach
	Medic 6692 - 1999 Special Coach
	Medic 6693 - 1993 Special Coach
	Medic 6694 - 1997 Special Coach
	Medic 6695 - 2007 Special Coach