Ambulance.com

Can local ambulances be connected to fixed wireless Internet access? Members of the ISP-Wireless list discuss the possibilities.

[June 15, 2000]

On the ISP-Wireless list in June, LE raised the issue of wireless systems for ambulances:

"Saw a post not too long ago where someone was using their fixed wireless system to aid an ambulance. Is anyone doing this and if so, how?"

A number of respondents weighed in with theories on how to make such a system work:

[MKS wrote] "I haven't done it but here's the idea: Put an AP in the ambulance with a 5dbi omni on top and amp it way up. This may well cause problems when they turn on the ambulance system."

[KM commented] "I would think the data would be compact enough that it doesn't need the megabit speed we can offer. A cell phone might work."

[BA wrote] "Check out Aironet's website. I believe they have a case study that explores this type of setup."

[Editor's Note: The case study, which outlines how the Southwest Research Institute implemented a traffic management system for the Texas Department of Transportation which allows ambulances in San Antonio to receive and transmit medical data while en route to hospitals, can be found at http://www.aironet.com/markets/health_southwest.asp.]

However, a number of respondents expressed concerns about possible liabilities for the ISP:

[JS wrote] "This is a great idea, but does anyone want to be on the other end of the call when the system chokes for some reason and the patient in the ambulance dies? Let them buy it and run it themselves."

[JU concurred, adding this point] "I have been providing unlicensed ISM band links to police and fire departments for administrative needs. I do, however, advise against providing unlicensed wireless service for critical public safety dispatch or life support needs. We all know that unlicensed technology is interference-limited and that the service will eventually interfere with itself. In mobile systems the fades are much deeper therefore reliable high-bandwidth data links are significantly more difficult to engineer, build, and support. No responsible ISP owner would welcome waking up in the morning to see news headlines like 'Six Children Die Because Radio Link Fails.'"

[KM offered a cautionary tale] "I know an RF dealer who put a multiple T1 link up for an hospital. Although he was using a reliable product, he ran into troubles with the system and there was nothing that he could do while it went up and down but put his head in the sand. Where voice is concerned I would not use ISM microwave radios for public safety communications. If the link was for data I would be more willing, but would let them know of all the potential pitfalls up front."

Another respondent pointed out that wireless transmissions are, at this point, being used for limited, though vital, purposes:

[EH wrote] "The solution in San Antonio is being used for video feeds from the rescue units to the hospital as well as video feeds of traffic congestion so dispatch can route the ambulances accordingly. They are not providing dispatch using this solution; they're providing live video feeds from the ambulance to the ER or Trauma Center which allows the doctor to have a better assessment of the patient, allowing the doctors to tell the EMTs to do specific things and also prepare the ER."

[MKS warned] "As for the liability, everything breaks. This should not be sold as a 100% solution, this would be a powerful if somewhat limited new tool. They will still have cell phone, land line, and vhf. There are things that can be done with greater bandwidth though and I think that we as providers need to find ways for them to use the technology. If we don't, we are costing ourselves money and our industry credibility."

 —End