16 Del. Admin. Code § 4302-9.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 4302-9.0 - Communications

9.1 The flight crew or a communication specialist must assume the responsibility of receiving and coordinating all requests for the air medical service.

9.1.1 Should a communication specialist be employed, training shall be commensurate with the scope of responsibility of the communications center personnel and include:

9.1.1.1 EMT-B certification or equivalent knowledge and experience.

9.1.1.2 Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations and Federal Communications Commission regulations pertinent to the air medical service.

9.1.1.3 General safety rules and emergency procedures pertinent to air medical transportation and flight following procedures.

9.1.1.4 Navigation techniques/terminology and understanding weather interpretation.

9.1.1.5 Types of radio frequency bands used in air medical EMS.

9.1.1.6 Assistance with the materials response and recognition procedure using appropriate reference materials.

9.2 Communication policies of the air medical service must reflect:

9.2.1 Aircraft must communicate, when possible, with ground units securing unprepared landing sites prior to landing.

9.2.2 A readily accessible post incidentccident plan must be part of the flight following protocol so that appropriate search and rescue efforts may be initiated in the event the aircraft is overdue, radio communication can not be established nor location verified

9.2.2.1 Written post incidentccident plans are easily identified and readily available.

9.2.2.2 Current phone numbers are easily accessed.

9.2.2.3 An annual drill is conducted to exercise the post incidentccident plan.

9.3 Continuous flight following must be monitored and documented and shall consist of the following:

9.3.1 Initial coordination to include communication and documentation of:

9.3.1.1 Time call received

9.3.1.2 Name and phone number of requesting agency

9.3.1.3 Time aircraft departed

9.3.1.4 Pertinent LZ information

9.3.1.5 Number of persons on board

9.3.1.6 Amount of fuel on board

9.3.1.7 Estimated time of arrival (ETA)

9.3.1.8 Diagnosis or mechanism of injury

9.3.1.9 Referring and receiving physician and facilities (for inter facility transports) as per policy of the air medical service

9.3.1.10 Verification of acceptance of patient

9.3.2 Communications during mission shall also be documented accordingly:

9.3.2.1 Direct or relayed communications to communications center (while in flight) specifying locations and ETAs, and deviations, if necessary.

9.3.2.2 Direct or relayed communications to communications center specifying all take-off and landing information.

9.3.2.3 Time between each communication:

9.3.2.3.1 Time between each communication shall not exceed 15 minutes while in flight (If an IFR or VFR flight plan has been filed, may only be able to communicate with air traffic control, (ATC).

9.3.2.3.2 Time between communications shall not exceed 45 minutes while on the ground.

9.3.2.3.3 Alternate agencies are used to relay communications when direct contact is not possible.

9.4 The Communications Center must contain the following:

9.4.1 At least one dedicated phone line for the air medical service.

9.4.2 A system for recording all incoming and outgoing telephone and radio transmissions with time recording and playback capabilities. Recordings are to be kept for 30 days.

9.4.3 Capability to immediately notify air medical team and on-line medical direction (through radio, pager, telephone, etc.).

9.4.4 Back-up emergency power source for communications equipment, or a policy delineating methods for maintaining communications during power outages and in disaster situations.

9.4.5 Communications policy and procedures manual.

9.5 All services that will be landing at a healthcare facility helipad within the State must contact AVCOM (302-739-5964) to advise them of their destination and the estimated length of time that they will occupy the helipad. AVCOM must be advised again when the aircraft departs the helipad.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 4302-9.0

4 DE Reg. 1827 (5/1/01)
5 DE Reg. 1727 (3/1/02)