Motor vehicle crashes involving ambulances pose a serious risk to both crew and patients. Recognizing the magnitude and severity of this risk, the Fire Protection Research Foundation recently released a report, “Analysis of Ambulance Crash Data.”

The report focuses on the collection of ambulance crash data, including fatalities and injuries from all 50 states, and the methods used to collect this data. The project stems from NFPA’s recent series of EMS-related efforts to develop a national standard for ambulance safety that addresses EMS responder health and protection and improved vehicle design and maintenance. Information on ambulance accidents was requested by the NFPA 1917 Technical Committee to assist in identifying efforts that would have a positive impact on responder safety.

The report was conducted with guidance provided by a Project Technical Panel of emergency medical service providers, data collection professionals, and other subject-matter experts.
According to the report, data documented on a state or local level typically includes the number of crashes, cause and contributing factors, and injuries or fatalities of personnel and civilians, however, each state has different methodologies for collecting and using this data. The final report takes into account ambulance reportable crashes that cause vehicular property damage and/or injury to either the EMS crew or others, and includes recommendations for developing a more comprehensive data collection system that can be used nationally to improve safety for EMS providers and their patients.

In 2008, NFPA’s Standards Council approved NFPA 1917, Automotive Ambulances, for inclusion in the 2012 revision cycle. The new standard establishes the minimum requirements, performance parameters, and essential criteria for new EMS vehicles, and could replace federal specification requirements currently guiding ambulance construction.