Page 52 - Ranger Manual 2017_Neat

Chapter
6

Open Space and Mountain Parks

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Standard of Care Policy

All rangers must be prepared to respond to and provide assistance for medical emergencies on
Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) properties; rangers may also be called to provide
emergency medical services on private and public non-OSMP properties. While on duty, rangers
are obligated to care for any patient who requires attention and gives consent, rendering the
necessary emergency medical services (EMS) to the best of their abilities and training. Care will
not be modified or altered based on a patient’s race, religion, beliefs, medical prognosis, or
condition.

Rangers have a duty to their patient(s), as well as to themselves and all other responders as
follows:

• First, rangers have a duty to respect a patient’s rights.
➢ Rangers must serve as patient advocates and protect and honor a patient’s rights while
providing emergency care. This includes maintaining privacy and confidentiality
concerning medical status, history, and records; and
➢ Rangers must provide complete and competent care for their patient(s) and, most
importantly, must do no further harm.

• Second, rangers have a duty to themselves and other EMS personnel, which requires they
obtain the necessary credentials to practice EMS, maintain those skills to a level of
proficiency, maintain their mental health, and remain physically fit to perform their duties.

Rangers’ primary responsibilities on a medical call are to assess scene safety and patient condition
and to initiate life-saving procedures to the ill or injured until advanced personnel arrive. Other
responsibilities include providing accurate information on patient status, location, needs, and best
access to facilitate patient care and evacuation.

52