The Alaska Code Blue Project
The
Code Blue Project was started in 1999 by the Section of Community
Health and EMS and the Regional EMS Offices 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: Section of Community
Health and EMS; 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;
- Rasmuson Foundation;
- 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
Polices
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.