Alaska Code Blue Project

State of Alaska H&SS Public Notice myAlaska

IPEMS UNITS

The Alaska Code Blue Project

Code Blue Ambulance Arriving at Fort Yukon The Code Blue Project was started in 1999 by the section 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.

Four-Wheeler/Rescue Sled Combination 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.