Camera in the Alpha

[ski219]

My dept just purchased two new alpha's that have cameras in the back. We have no sop's on this. Does anybody have any pro's or cons this? Thanks in advance

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

What the hell is an alpha?

[nmfire]

[ski219]

My apologies a alpha is just an ALS ambulance.

[The 52nd]

In that case this thread should be posted in the EMS section of the forum.

Or Off Duty.

Depends on how you use the cameras.

[ski219]

Why would it be Off Duty? The camera is installed in the inside of the truck, we have no access to what is recorded or any ability to turn it off.

[charlie82]

Is it in the crewcab or the patient compartment? Many EMS agencies, mine included use a drivecam that records the crewcab and the road. It activates under "extreme" G-Forces.

[blacktooth]

Is it in the crewcab or the patient compartment? Many EMS agencies, mine included use a drivecam that records the crewcab and the road. It activates under "extreme" G-Forces.

My dept just purchased two new alpha's that have cameras in the back.

I'd assume the back, not the cab.

[ski219]

The camera is in the patient compartment, right behind the cab recording the strectcher area.

[fire49]

well you can not be accused of anything, except what you do wrong


anyway not a hippa fan, but sounds like maybe there may be a problem with this and hippa????????????

also who gets to see the tapes??? what about when you are treating a female and have to expose certain parts???


sounds a little strange, but not a real medic so???

[fire49]

is it linked to the hospital::::

http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/medical-...ulance-cameras




http://www.jems.com/news_and_article...mbulances.html

[The 52nd]

Why would it be Off Duty? The camera is installed in the inside of the truck, we have no access to what is recorded or any ability to turn it off.

Tongue in cheek my friend. Because we all know guys on this job who've been caught on tape doing "off duty" dumb sh.......thinks.

[charlie82]

is it linked to the hospital::::

http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/medical-...ulance-cameras




http://www.jems.com/news_and_article...mbulances.html

This seems like unnecessary micromanagement. Medics and EMTs have standing orders, protocols and radio communication for a reason. Id like to see how the EMS crews feel about this.

[N2DFire]

Our 3 newest Rigs are rolling camera trucks
Backup-camera
Drive Cam with both cab view & forward view
and a Pt compartment camera.
Since you're asking about the Pt compartment cam specifically I will skip the drive cam issues we've seen so far.

Now - the Pt compartment Cam's are still a little vague in terms of how they work, how long, etc - but as I understand it thus far: There are 2 manual activation buttons for this camera. One in the "Action Area" of the Pt compartment & the other with-in reach of the driver. They will record from the time they are activated until you either press the button again to shut them off or until power is lost to the Ambulance module (i.e. truck shut down).

In my own opinion I think the Pt Module camera is great - when used for the purpose for which they were intended - which is defending the Attendant from false accusations etc. When they are Misused for Big Brother purposes of simple witch hunts - then they are "bad".

The root issue is that the camera is a "tool" - like a baseball bat or a gun. There is no inherit goodness or badness in them -but rather in the way they are used. Therefore I would urge you & all your members to embrace them for the good they can do for you & to work as much and as closely with management as possible to draft a usage SOP that keeps them "Provider Friendly" and used for what they "should be".

The two main things that we have found that should be addressed as soon as possible are:
Who can access the camera / data
Under what conditions can they access the camera / data

Best of luck.