UNDERSTANDING INTERFACILITY TRANSPORT COMMUNICATIONS

Unlike emergency 911 responses, interfacility transports follow a different communication process.

When assigned to an interfacility transport, your unit must notify County Dispatch that it is going "on a special."

This notification informs County Dispatch that your unit is temporarily unavailable for regular 911 coverage due to a transport assignment.

Once County acknowledges your status, the crew is responsible for documenting the appropriate transport times in Active911.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

During interfacility transports, you are not required to notify County Dispatch of every status change, as you would during a 911 response.

Instead, you will notify County at two primary points:

  1. When your unit goes on a special.

  2. When your unit is clear and back in coverage.

All other transport-related times are recorded by the crew in Active911.

INTERFACILITY TRANSPORT COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES

STEP 1: NOTIFY COUNTY DISPATCH

Status: On a Special

Before beginning your assigned transport, notify County Dispatch that your unit is going on a special assignment.

This allows County to update your unit's status and remove it from regular emergency response availability.

YOUR RADIO TRANSMISSION:

"County, 318-1 is going on a special."

COUNTY:

"318-1, received."

Once County acknowledges your transmission, your unit is considered unavailable for regular 911 assignments according to agency procedures.

FTO TRAINING NOTE:

The trainee should understand why notifying County is important and how special assignments affect ambulance coverage and unit availability.

STEP 2: DOCUMENT TRANSPORT TIMES IN ACTIVE911

Status: Special Assignment in Progress

Once your unit has been placed on a special assignment, you are responsible for accurately recording the appropriate transport times in Active911.

Unlike 911 responses, these times are not routinely communicated over the County radio channel.

Your FTO will demonstrate how to access Active911 and properly document each status change.

FTO TRAINING NOTE:

The trainee should demonstrate the ability to independently navigate Active911 and document transport times accurately.

STEP 3: COMPLETE YOUR ASSIGNED TRANSPORT

Status: Special Assignment in Progress

During the transport, your unit will continue to follow established patient care, documentation, and operational procedures.

County Dispatch does not need to be notified of routine transport status changes.

This means you do not routinely radio County when:

  • Arriving at the sending facility.

  • Departing the sending facility with the patient.

  • Arriving at the receiving facility.

  • Completing the patient transfer.

These times are recorded in Active911.

IMPORTANT: This does not eliminate the need to contact County for emergencies, requests for assistance, or other situations requiring dispatch notification.

STEP 4: NOTIFY COUNTY WHEN CLEAR

Status: Clear & Back in Coverage

Once the transport has been completed, the patient has been transferred, and your unit is ready to resume emergency response responsibilities, notify County Dispatch when you have returned to your designated coverage area.

YOUR RADIO TRANSMISSION:

"County, 318-1 is clear and back in coverage."

COUNTY:

"318-1, received."

County will acknowledge the transmission and update your unit's availability.

FTO TRAINING NOTE:

The trainee should understand that the unit must be operationally ready before reporting that it is back in coverage.

This includes completing required patient care responsibilities, ensuring the ambulance is appropriately stocked, and confirming that the unit is ready to accept additional assignments.

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

INTERFACILITY TRANSPORT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE!

911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE

County is notified of routine response status changes, including responding, on scene, transporting, hospital arrival, and returning to coverage.

INTERFACILITY TRANSPORT

County is notified when the unit goes on a special and when it is clear and back in coverage.

All routine transport times are documented by the crew in Active911.

FTO PRACTICAL EVALUATION

INTERFACILITY TRANSPORT COMMUNICATION COMPETENCY

FTO INSTRUCTIONS:

The assigned FTO should demonstrate the appropriate procedures for notifying County Dispatch of special assignments and documenting transport times in Active911.

The trainee should practice these responsibilities under supervision before being evaluated independently.