The
Alaska Code Blue Project
The
Code Blue Project was started in 1999 in an effort to
identify, prioritize and seek funding for essential equipment
for rural emergency medical services in Alaska. The program
is coordinated by a Steering Committee comprised of a representative
from each of the following agencies: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services; Interior Region EMS Council; Inc.; Southeast
Region EMS Council, Inc.; Southern Region EMS Council, Inc.;
Maniilaq Association EMS; Norton Sound Health Corporation
EMS; Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Injury Prevention
and EMS; and the North Slope Borough EMS Program.
To
date, funding for essential equipment has been provided by
the:
- State
of Alaska ;
- Denali
Commission;
-
- U.
- S.
Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development;
- Native
Health Corporations;
- Communities;
and
- Local
emergency medical services.
The
program has been very successful and the efforts of the Code
Blue Steering Committee, combined with the generosity of agencies
providing funding, have resulted in the purchase of over 25
new ambulances, rescue vehicles, patient care equipment, training
equipment, and much more.
Items
are reviewed at the regional and state levels prior to inclusion
in the Code Blue Database. General categories of equipment
within the database include:
- Patient
Care
- Training
- Emergency
Vehicles
- Radio/Communications
Equipment
- Ambulances
- Emergency
Equipment
- Communications
Infrastructure
For
more information, contact your Regional EMS Office.
Item
Assessment Sheet
This item
assessment sheet is used by the Code Blue Steering Committee
to help determine whether an item should be included in the
database for funding.
General
PolicIes
Extrication
Equipment
It
is the policy of the Code Blue Steering Committee that motor
vehicle extrication is a fire service function and not a primary
function of emergency medical services. Exceptions will be
considered if motor vehicle extrication is not available though
a fire service in the EMS service area.
Fire
Suppression Equipment
It
is the policy of the Code Blue Steering Committee that fire
suppression is not a primary function of emergency medical
services and, therefore, not a focus of the Code Blue project.
Consequently, fire response and suppression equipment will
not be funded under the Code Blue project.
Turnouts,
Helmets and Boots
It
is the policy of the Code Blue Steering Committee not to fund
turnouts, helmets and boots for emergency medical services
providing care in areas served by a fire department. Exceptions
will be considered if motor vehicle extrication is not available
though a fire service in the EMS service area.