NFPA Releases Draft of New Ambo Standard

The standard, NFPA 1917, is available through the NFPA's website, www.nfpa.org; search for 1917. The association emphasizes that this version is a draft, and as yet has no official status. To download a proposal form or submit feedback online, go to the "Next edition" tab at www.nfpa.org/1917.

Highlights of the proposed standard include:

• A required vehicle data recorder to track speed, acceleration and deceleration, braking events, seat belt usage and other metrics of operation;
• A stability control system with steering wheel position sensor, vehicle yaw sensor, lateral accelerometer and individual wheel brake controls (or, alternatively, a top speed capped at 60 mph);
• Interior surfaces free of sharp corners and projections;
• Equipment securely stored or attached;
• Requirements for retroreflective exterior markings.

NFPA committees have written numerous standards for the fire service, including those governing fire apparatus. An NFPA technical committee has been working on the new ambulance standard since 2009 for a planned release no later than 2013. It consists of 32 principal members, along with alternates and nonvoting subject-matter experts. Participants included government officials, vehicle manufacturers, representatives of industry groups like the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), actual providers and those in associated fields.

The final standard is expected to be completed by 2012. Once that's complete, the federal government will stop revising the existing KKK purchase specification.