An Optimal Solution for Enhancing Ambulance Safety:

Brea, California - A safe, easy ride is assured now that Emergency Ambulance Service (EMERGENCY) has installed on-board computer systems in each of its 49 ambulance units.

The new on-board computer monitors numerous vehicle functions, much as a "black box" does in an airliner. The device records speed, rpm, vehicle stops, idle time, daily distance, brakes, use of siren and emergency lights, use of seatbelts, turn signals and many other driving functions. In addition, during vehicle operation, warning tones and alarms will alert the operator if the dynamic force at work on the vehicle exceeds recommendations, such as when a driver brakes too hard or turns a corner too fast. Each emergency medical technician who operates an ambulance activates the system with a personal ID key, so each driver's performance can be measured to ensure safe driving protocol.

All Emergency Ambulance Service ambulance drivers are required to undergo 40 hours of drivers' training that incorporates classroom training, the National Safety Council®, Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator™ (CEVO) course, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) for the Ambulance Driver, and specialized behind-the-wheel ambulance driver's training. New drivers are closely supervised for the first six months on the job. Afterwards, all drivers must adhere to the SafeForce™ standards of driving, which are a very refined professional version of defensive driving.

Besides insuring a safer and more comfortable ride for patients and other customers such as fire department paramedics, the new equipment is expected to lower EMERGENCY's operating costs through more efficient vehicle maintenance. In addition, the accumulated data will be invaluable in helping to analyze the cause and prevention of ambulance incidents and crashes.

EMERGENCY ambulances responded to more than 35,820 calls for service in 2001.

About Emergency Ambulance Service

Family-owned and operated since 1977, Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. has 14 ambulance deployment centers located throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. EMERGENCY provides Emergency Basic Life Support and Nurse-Staffed Critical Care Transportation in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and Advanced Life Support Paramedic ambulance service throughout Los Angeles County. The company also provides 911 primary emergency ambulance services to six of the cities it operates in, as well as providing back up 911 service to several surrounding communities.

About Road Safety International, Inc.

Road Safety International, Inc. is a privately held company with headquarters in Camarillo, California. Road Safety is an industry leader in the field of fleet management systems, driver training programs, and data acquisition systems.

Road Safety On-Board Computer Systems are successfully utilized on a wide range of emergency response vehicles and equipment including ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and airport crash rescue equipment. The company's systems are utilized by US and Canadian Government agencies, utility companies, automobile manufacturers test cars throughout the United States, school buses and thousands of commercial fleet vehicles world wide.

Website: http://www.roadsafety.com

For further information contact:

Chad Druten, Director, Government Affairs
Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc.
3200 East Birch Street, Suite A
Brea, CA 92821-6258
Tel: (714) 990-1742
Fax: (714) 792-3650
E-mail: ChadDruten@emergencyambulance.com
URL: http://www.emergencyambulance.com