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Rapid response cars – from everyday sedans to rugged bakkies – have transformed how medics reach patients.
When speed matters
All ER24 branches maintain at least one rapid response vehicle, and for good reason, says Raeesah Boomgaard, Branch Manager at ER24 Johannesburg West. Unlike traditional ambulances, these agile vehicles allow staff to navigate traffic quickly and reach patients faster.
“As an Advanced Life Support (ALS) practitioner, I can’t stress enough how valuable these response cars are,” she says. “When someone’s life hangs in the balance, every second counts. I don’t want to be stuck in traffic in a large ambulance when I could be weaving through congested streets in a response vehicle, arriving at the scene minutes earlier than I would have.”
When a call comes into the ER24 Contact Centre, a dedicated Support Resource Officer (dispatcher) determines what resources are needed for the case. Depending on the situation, they will send either a rapid response vehicle with an ALS practitioner, or an ambulance with Basic Life Support, Intermediate Life Support medics and/or ALS.
Understanding the levels of care
Paramedics work at three distinct levels, each with its own scope and responsibilities, explains Boomgaard:
Basic Life Support (BLS)
“These are our frontline community medics who handle essential emergency care. Their scope may be more limited, but they form the backbone of our emergency response system.
Intermediate Life Support (ILS)
“Our ILS practitioners do far more than just treat patients. They’re also responsible for the medical side of contracts with facilities like old age homes and schools. They regularly conduct wellness days, handle client liaison work, and yes, make the difficult declarations of death when necessary.
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
“As an ALS practitioner, I have the training and authority to handle complex medical emergencies that require advanced interventions. We regularly take students on calls, providing real-world training while maintaining the high standard of care our patients deserve.”
The equipment that makes the difference
One of the most significant differences between rapid response cars and ambulances lies in the equipment on board, says Boomgaard. In her ALS response car, she has access to sophisticated monitoring equipment that can mean the difference between life and death, such as:
- Advanced ECG monitors with 12-lead capability for detailed cardiac assessment
- Carbon dioxide monitoring to ensure proper ventilation
- Specialised jump bags packed with ALS-specific equipment
- Advanced airway management tools, including laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) and intubation equipment.
“When I need to secure someone’s airway, I can insert endotracheal tubes directly into their trachea and connect them to a ventilator. This level of intervention simply isn’t possible with basic equipment.”
Medication management
Boomgaard also carries infusion pumps and syringe drivers, which let her give medication slowly over time at very precise rates.
Her kit includes, among others:
- Heart medications for cardiac emergencies
- Strong painkillers
- Anti-seizure medication
- Anti-nausea drugs
- Antidotes for certain poisoning and overdose cases.
When ambulances are essential
ER24 ambulances remain the backbone of emergency medical services. They are equipped to carry larger equipment like scoop stretchers, spine boards, and full stretcher systems that can’t fit into rapid response vehicles. In addition, ambulance crews now have access to a much wider range of medication and interventions available since the implementation of the Clinical Practice Guidelines implemented in 2018.
“Typical protocol involves responding in my rapid response vehicle to assess and stabilise the patient,” explains Boomgaard. “This system allows me to provide immediate advanced care and ensures we have the right equipment for safe patient transport. The norm is to dispatch an ambulance together with the primary response vehicle (PRV) to avoid any delays, as patients are never transported in rapid response cars. ER24 ambulances are responsible for taking patients to the right hospital or facility once treatment has begun.”
The future is green
Boomgaard says she’s excited about the direction in which the emergency care industry is moving. ER24 is rolling out a “green plan” using mostly Toyota hybrid vehicles in its rapid response fleet. They’re eco-friendly but still fast and agile enough for emergencies.
The human side of emergency medical services
“We’re here to give people the care they need, when they need it most,” Boomgaard says. “Sometimes that means making quick decisions about medicines and treatments. Other times it’s about knowing when a patient needs help that I can’t provide in the field.
“Every day teaches me something new. Whether I’m responding to a cardiac emergency, managing a traumatic injury, or providing routine care at a contracted facility, the goal remains the same: delivering the right level of care at the right time.”
“Next time you see emergency vehicles on a call, remember there’s a whole system behind those flashing lights – from community medics giving basic care, to advanced practitioners handling more complex treatments. We’re all part of the ER24 network designed to give patients the best possible chance when every second counts.”