There are currently 10 team members, all of whom are certified as NJ Emergency Medical Technicians. For the first 8 years, members used their own bicycle (a "p.o.b."). In August of 2000, we purchased 6 Giant Rainier mountain bikes for use by the team. The Squad also issues a uniform shirt, bike shorts, jacket and helmet. The uniforms were funded through private donations raised by Mike D'Ecclessis, our first team member. Coverage is limited to pre-arranged special events.

Operating Procedures

An ambulance staffed with at least 2 members (not including bike riders) is always assigned to each event. When covering an event outside of our area, we generally request that a local ambulance be on the scene or at least available via radio.
Depending on the size and location of the event, we may also establish an on site treatment area. Our EMS canopy is often used at these events.
ICS is used and each member is assigned a unit number, generally their regular squad radio ID number.
We generally patrol in groups of 2 w/ complimentary equipment on each bike.
Each group has at least 1 portable radio w/ speaker mike although everyone usually has a radio of some type.
Each member is issued a map of the event area which is reviewed prior to the event along with possible response routes for both bike and ambulance.
For events covering a large area, each team also carries at least 1 cell phone.

Equipment

The Squad provides the following equipment as needed:

Giant "Rainier" mountain bike w/ disc brakes & permanent rear rack
4-compartment nylon supply bag that attaches w/ Velcro to rack (Bushwacker)
Lighting package: combination head lamp/blue flashing light & red flashing rear light w/ battery pack (NiteRider)
"EMS" sign for front of bike
an orange safety flag (used when we will be operating in traffic)
at least 1 SVFAS custom water bottle (some carry 2; 1 for personal use and 1 for a patient)
GP 350 or HT-750 portable radio with remote speaker/mike (Motorola)
a map of the event area or route
some members also wear a fanny pack (we do not recommend knapsacks!)

EMS supplies carried by bike team members include:

pocket mask and/or BVM
nasal & oral airways
BP cuff & stethoscope
ice and heat packs
foil blanket
sting swaps
sterile water
glucose
trauma supplies
gloves & a plastic waste bag
"convenience" bag
antiseptic wipes
adjustable Stiff-neck collar
Semi-automatic defibrillator (HP/Heartstream "Forerunner")
Free flow oxygen ("B" cylinder)

We generally carry an AED on a bike as well as the ambulance. We recently started carrying oxygen using a "B" cylinder (short D tank). One of our more exuberant members has been known to carry an OB kit!

We took some needling about the bike safety flags. They may look silly, but are helpful in traffic. In a large crowd, it also helps you spot your partner. They proved valuable when we traveled to New Brunswick to cover a walkathon.

Training

A 2-part training program has been developed by team member Jason Lambert and John Staunton, the team's founder. Jason is the former manager of Cycle Palace a bike shop in Summit, and is our technical guru. He teaches cycling skills at the Union County Police Academy and has trained many of the area departments. John is the team Captain and an EMT-Instructor with Atlantic Health System. We expect to offer our training programs again in the summer of 2007 at our headquarters:

Introduction to EMS Bicycle Teams (2.5 CEU lecture)
EMS Bicycle Skills & Equipment (3.5 CEU practical)

Both programs have been approved for CEU credit by the NJ Dept. of Health. We have traveled to the Branchburg Rescue Squad, Roselle Park First Aid Squad, Plainfield Rescue Squad and the NJ State First Aid Council Convention to teach and were well received.

Good skills training includes practice riding with the required equipment. It's best to cover a smaller size or shorter duration event before attempting a 50-mile road rally. Team members have also scheduled a few informal day or 1/2 day trips which serve as practice as well as recreation.

Coming soon... more team photos!