EMS Pedal Power

Today a group of 22 Wake County EMS Paramedics completed a 32-hour International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) EMS bicycle operations course, which will allow full implementation of a bike-mounted paramedic team to augment medical care at large events.

With police bicycle teams already in wide-spread use, paramedics have begun to recognize the capabilities and advantages of bike-mounted personnel with fast, ease access in large event crowds. The EMS team is made up of experienced, fully-certified paramedics who will bring the equivalent of fully-staffed ambulance quickly to a patient's side.

The IPMBA EMS Cyclist course emphasizes such EMS specific concerns as cycling with a heavy load, EMS gear management, and scene safety. Additional topics include Fitness and Nutrition, Promoting Bike Safety, Hazard Avoidance and Basic Maintenance.

The team is already scheduled for service at a number of local events, including NCSU football games and the NC State Fair.