F.A.Q.

Frequently Used Terms

Mark Up – Contact dispatch to notify them of our response to a call. It should be noted that the maximum number of staff allowed on the ambulance when responding to a call is four. When responding, the unit type, number and staffing are reported (ie: Ambulance 614-3 responding with four)

Ambulance – Unit staffed with at least one EMT-Basic and an EVOC-certified driver

Trauma Unit – Ambulance staffed with at least one EMT-E (or higher) and an EVOC-certified driver. (i.e. “trauma 614-3 is responding with a crew of four)

Medic Unit – Unit staffed with at least one EMT-I or P and an EVOC-certified driver

BLS – Basic Life Support. Level of care provided by an Ambulance crew

ALS – Advanced Life Support. Level of care provided by a Trauma/Medic crew.

EMT-FR – EMT-First Responder. Introductory level of EMS provider, typically attained by law enforcement personnel or firefighters. Providers with this certification are not legally allowed to supervise transport of a patient or perform full immobilization.

EMT-B – EMT-Basic. The lowest level of certification allowing transport of a patient. Basic life-saving measures, full spinal immobilization and introductory pharmacology are learned.

EMT-E – EMT-Enhanced. Referred to as “STs” in Loudoun County (Shock Trauma) When released, these providers get a number assigned to them that associates them with their station and their skill level (ie: 1471 – Chief Curtis). This number stays with the provider until they advance to a higher certification, leave the company or let their certification expire. Introductory to the ALS skill set, these providers can perform intubations, start IVs and administer select medications according to protocol.

EMT-I – EMT-Intermediate. Referred to, along with Paramedics, as “CTs” in Loudoun County (Cardiac Trauma) The number assigned to these providers is similar to the number given to STs (ie: 1402 – Captain Swartz) Half a step below full Paramedic, these providers perform all ST level skills as well as cardiac monitoring and additional medications.

EMT-P – EMT-Paramedic. These providers, as previously mentioned, are referred to as “CTs.” They have a complete set of skills to provide the highest possible level of care in the field.

Unit Number – Sequence of numbers or letters used to identify a unit.

Ie. Ambulance 614-3 (pronounced: Ambulance six-fourteen-three)

Ambulance/Trauma/Medic – Identifies the type of unit

6 – Loudoun County ID number (Number identifies units of counties in the DC area. Arlington is 1, Fairfax is 4, Loudoun is 6, etc)

14 – Company Station number

3 – Company's individual ambulance number

Receiving Facility – Facility that patient is being transported to; often, but not limited to, a hospital. (hospital, burn center, trauma center, poison center, etc).

Cornwall – ER located in downtown Leesburg, VA, off Market St., where PVRS often transports patients too.

Lansdowne – Hospital located between Leesburg and Ashburn, off Rt. 7, where PVRS transports more critical patients too.

CAD – Computer Aided Dispatch. The computer located in the watch room that provides call information, which has been loaded by Dispatch.

ADC Map Book – regional map with local roads, no house numbers

Local Map Book – compiled by PVRS, includes directions from the station to individual streets within our first-due area, also indicates house numbers

First-Due – the area for which a company is first responsible.

Second-Due – the area for which a company is second responsible. Ie: Round Hill is in our Second-Due area. If Round Hill’s ambulance is currently on a call and a second call goes out for them, we will be dispatched to respond. If we are on another call, the Third-Due company will be dispatched to Round Hill, and so forth.

EVOC – Emergency Vehicle Operator Course. Required certification for all ambulance and engine drivers. Ranges in certification level Class I-IV, depending on size of unit.

Patch – A link to another radio, usually operated by a hospital. The driver or EMT will radio dispatch and request a patch to the target. Usually used to give hospital reports. (ie. Ambulance 614-3 to Loudoun – requesting a patch to Cornwall)

BP – Blood pressure. “Please get Mr. Smith’s BP”

LOC – Level of Consciousness. A summary of a patient’s level of consciousness, comprised of patients ability to respond to stimuli: Alert (& Oriented), Verbal, Painful, Unresponsive. (ie. Patient has an altered level of consciousness; she only responds to verbal stimuli)

A&O – Alert and Oriented. A summary of a patient’s ability to recount information; Name, Date, Location, Events, additional information. (ie. Patient is A&O – he can speak clearly, and give me his name, the date, where he’s at, and everything that happened).