18 ambulance crashes occur everyday in the United States with one occupant killed every 7 days.
12.7 out of every 100,000 EMT's and Medics are killed from these crash, which is the highest
motor vehicle death rate in the nation. You have a 15% greater chance of being killed in the
patient compartment than driving. You have 35% greater chance when patients are not properly
restrained and gear is not properly stored. Florida and Stryker requires all patients to be properly
restrained using all supplied straps on an ambulance cot. These stretchers will not stay secured in
the event of a crash nor will the improperly restrained patient stay on the stretcher.
Liberty Ambulance Policy is that all patients will be restrained with all stretcher straps as required
and all potentially hazardous items stored in a secured compartment.