The United States Air Force crash ambulance--origins, current use, and suggested future directions

The United States Air Force (USAF) maintains a crash ambulance, staffed by flight surgeons and aeromedical technicians, which is separate from the ambulance service maintained and staffed by base hospital or clinic personnel. A survey was performed to assess the current use and staffing of this ambulance. Results showed low use, and difficulties in training and maintaining experienced crews. A single integrated ambulance system is proposed to replace the current separate systems. Such a system could improve overall response capability, and more efficiently and effectively use available resources.