OUTREACH
The Richmond Ambulance Authority is dedicated to connecting with the community we serve. We are always looking for opportunities to create new partnerships with the community and public safety agencies. That’s why we have implemented outreach programs, community events, and trainings designed to educate and help reduce the risk of death or injury. Our outreach programs are focused on increasing safety and awareness.
Some of the programs we have implemented include our Child Car Seat Safety Program, a free program for City of Richmond residents. The Rider Alert motorcycle safety program is designed to help provide life-saving information in motorcycle helmets.
We are dedicated to identifying current trends and the needs of our community in order to implement programs that make a difference, and can potentially save lives.
PROGRAMS
CAR SEAT SAFETY PROGRAM
Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. That’s why it’s so important to choose and correctly install the right car seat for your child.
Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. It’s one of the reasons the Richmond Ambulance Authority created the Child Car Seat Safety Program. The program is free to City of Richmond residents. Our certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians (CPST) inspect and instruct parents/guardians on how to properly install a child’s car safety seat. Seats can come in different types, and sizes.
Please Note: The Richmond Ambulance Authority inspects child seats but does not provide them.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment call 804-254-1150 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or submit your information below. Appointments must be scheduled in advance. A maximum of three appointments per day will be scheduled. Appointments are generally scheduled on either Tuesday or Thursday.
The Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) and the Richmond City Health District (RCHD) launched “First Responders for Recovery” in May 2019. “First Responders for Recovery” is an evidence based program aimed at connecting addicts to recovery resources in the Metro Richmond area. RCHD’s Peer Recovery Specialist trains RAA Paramedics and EMTs on different methods they can use to encourage patients to sign a “First Responders for Recovery” release form. Within 48 hours RCHD’s Peer Recovery Specialist contacts the patient to try and get them into a recovery center.
In addition, resource packets filled with recovery options in the Metro Richmond area are given to patients and family members interested in the program. RAA and RCHD remain committed to working with our public safety and health partners to get as many patients connected to recovery as possible so they can live healthy and prosperous lives.
For more information about the program contact us.
RIDER ALERT MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM
Motorcycle deaths and injuries continue to be a serious problem in Virginia. The Richmond Ambulance Authority and Bon Secours Virginia started the Rider Alert program in 2011 in partnership with Motorcycle Virginia to help first responders provide rapid and accurate medical assistance to motorcyclists involved in serious crashes. Identification cards located inside the rider’s helmet provide first responders with lifesaving information including important medical history and emergency contact information. The cards are available at the Richmond Ambulance Authority. For more information click on the link below.
LIFESAVER PROGRAM
The LifeSaver Membership Program helps City of Richmond residents cover the cost of emergency medical transports. For a low, annual fee of $49 for individuals, or $79 for a family, the plan covers insurance co-pays and deductibles for emergency ambulance transports. Medicaid recipients should not join the Lifesaver program, as it does not provide you with any additional benefits. Coverage begins on January 1 (ends on December 31st) each year. Keep in mind there is a 30-day administrative waiting period, so the sooner you complete your application and mail it in, the better! Applications for the 2019 Lifesaver Membership program are currently available. In some cases emergency transports are not covered by insurance, or patients are responsible for the full balance of their transport. In those cases the LifeSaver Membership Program provides a 20% discount for that transport.
If you would like to sign up for Life Saver Membership, please download our PDF form.
PAWS FOR PARAMEDICS
The Richmond Ambulance Authority and the Richmond SPCA launched a partnership creating the Pets for Paramedics program in 2018. It was later renamed Paws for Paramedics to reflect other programs the Richmond SPCA had in place to similarly help different populations under its Paws for Health umbrella. The program is designed to help EMS providers relieve stress through regular interaction with pets from the Richmond SPCA. RAA staff interact with pets awaiting adoption while also providing exposure to help the pets find homes.
According to studies, EMS providers are frequently exposed to traumatic events which can lead to high levels of workplace stress. This partnership allows RAA to continue its dedication to providing a healthy work environment for our EMTs and Paramedics. Research on the human-animal bond has demonstrated the benefits pets can have on a person’s mental, social and physical health. If you’re interested in adopting one of these pets visit our Newsroom.
TRAINING EVENTS AND CALENDAR
The Richmond Ambulance Authority is a Community Training Center (CTC) for the American Heart Association. As a CTC we provide a variety of initial and recertification courses. Our instructors are experienced and well qualified. These courses are open to the public and current employees. Please check out our training calendar to find the current class schedule. If a class becomes full you can still register to be put on our waiting list. You will get an email notification should a spot become available. If you have any questions please contact the clinical department at 804-254-1128.
American Heart Association Classes
Trains Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers on cardiac and stroke emergencies. Works on universal protocols and team exercises. (2-day Course)
Trains ALS providers on emergencies you may encounter with a pediatric patient. Uses universal protocols and team exercises. (2-day course)
This course trains providers on proper assessment techniques for pediatric patients. (8-hour course)
Trains ALS providers to use a systematic approach to treating medical emergencies. AMLS uses this approach to properly treat a patient who is having medical emergencies outside of Cardiac Arrest. Works on universal protocols along with team exercises. (2-day course)
Students learn to recognize and manage common medical crises through realistic case-based scenarios that challenge students to apply their knowledge to highly critical patients. The course emphasizes the use of scene size-up, history, interactive group discussion on potential treatment strategies, and physical exam to systematically rule out and consider possibilities and probabilities in treating patients’ medical crises.
We teach Heart Saver and Basic Life Support (BLS) – Heart saver is for non-health care professionals. Teaches mouth to mask technique. BLS is for health care professionals. BLS uses Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) devices and goes more into anatomical and physiological depth. (4 Hour course)
Trains providers on life-saving measures in trauma emergencies. The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all providers involved in the delivery of prehospital care. Team exercises and universal protocols are used. (2-day course)
Tactical Casualty Combat Care- This class is a NAEMT course that teaches evidence-based, life-saving techniques and strategies for providing the best trauma care in a combat environment. You will learn how to effectively triage and treat patients with life-threatening Trauma. This is a 2-day course.
Tactical Emergency Combat Care- The 2nd edition of NAEMT’s Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) course teaches EMS practitioners and other prehospital providers how to respond to and care for parients in a civilian tactical environment. This is a 2-day course.
Committees
The Richmond Ambulance Authority has set up several committees available to current employees that help shape and improve the organization. RAA is constantly analyzing and looking for ways to improve. If you’re interested in participating, please check out our committee calendar and register. The Operations department will determine which interested staff members will serve on the Shift Bid and Shift Points Committees. The Clinical Service and Wellness Committees are open to any staff member that is interested.
Open to all, committee is designed to make sure providers have a voice when it comes to equipment or protocols.
Designed to make RAA a safe and healthy place for providers.
IN THE COMMUNITY
NBC12: Renewed push for learning CPR following cardiac arrest of Damar Hamlin
This article originally appeared on nbc12.com Damar Hamlin’s on-field collapse after experiencing cardiac arrest during Monday night’s game is shedding light on the importance of C [...]
2022 “Year in Review”
It was a great year here at the Richmond Ambulance Authority as we connected with patients we helped; partners for important public safety and health messages, and with members of [...]
RAA, RFD, “Chain of Survival” Reunion
Staff from the Richmond Ambulance Authority and the Richmond Fire Department had a "Chain of Survival" reunion with patient Bobbie Nixon, who survived a Sudden Cardiac Arrest earli [...]
Happy Holidays from RAA!
WARNING: This video contains flashing lights and may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised. Happy Holidays from the Ric [...]
RAA Joins Virginia Health Care Community Offering Safety Tips Amid Surge in Flu, Respiratory Virus Cases and Hospitalizations
RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Ambulance Authority joined the Virginia healthcare community in encouraging Virginians who haven’t done so to get vaccinated against the flu, get vaccin [...]
Office Line
804.254.1150
Emergency
911
Fax
804.254.1103
Office Line
804.254.1150
Emergency
911
Fax