Elevator Key

M

medicdan

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I had a (911) call a few weeks ago at a high-rise apartment building, to a unit on the 23rd floor. Me and my partner waited a while in the lobby for an elevator, then once one came, we had to kick people off to fit in with our stretcher, then on the way up, stopped at several floors where people wanted to get in. Same sequence on the way down-- but we had a patient on our stretcher.
We were lucky, the time delays were not significant in this case, and time was not critical for this patient, but I fear for the time when it does cause problems.
I have worked for/with several services, and nobody seems to know anything about the "Medical Emergency" key accessible for some elevators. Some elevators have a medical cross on the threshold-- signifying, as I understand it, that a stretcher will fit in.
I also understand that all new buildings need at least one stretcher accessible elevator if over a certain number of floors.
Here are my questions:
1) Does anyone know anything about these keys? Do they allow "priority access" to the elevator? Where would a service look to find one?
2) What are the laws in terms of EMS accessible elevators?
3) What are the rules of etiquette for using a EMS key? Can one use it when the patient is not urgent, but to protect privacy?

Thoughts?
Thanks,

DS
 
jordanfstop

jordanfstop

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emt-student said:
I had a (911) call a few weeks ago at a high-rise apartment building, to a unit on the 23rd floor. Me and my partner waited a while in the lobby for an elevator, then once one came, we had to kick people off to fit in with our stretcher, then on the way up, stopped at several floors where people wanted to get in. Same sequence on the way down-- but we had a patient on our stretcher.
We were lucky, the time delays were not significant in this case, and time was not critical for this patient, but I fear for the time when it does cause problems.
I have worked for/with several services, and nobody seems to know anything about the "Medical Emergency" key accessible for some elevators. Some elevators have a medical cross on the threshold-- signifying, as I understand it, that a stretcher will fit in.
I also understand that all new buildings need at least one stretcher accessible elevator if over a certain number of floors.
Here are my questions:
1) Does anyone know anything about these keys? Do they allow "priority access" to the elevator? Where would a service look to find one?
2) What are the laws in terms of EMS accessible elevators?
3) What are the rules of etiquette for using a EMS key? Can one use it when the patient is not urgent, but to protect privacy?

Thoughts?
Thanks,

DS
Click to expand...

A lot of our places here have elevators (thank GOD.) I believe most fire departments and building supervisors have the keys.

I haven't heard anything regarding laws. When there's a patient in the elevator with me I usually tell the people to wait, because it's at least me, my partner, the patient, the equipment, a family member, and one or two medics. Also, I'm a fan of the "emergency stop" switch when at a floor. A lot of nursing homes here have it, so when you flip it on it will stay at that floor until you unswitch it.

One good trick for elevators, the more floors the better, is when you get in press the door close AND the floor number buttons at the same time. You should get an express trip to the floor you want. It works on most elevators.
 
Ridryder911

Ridryder911

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I have never heard, seen any "medical key" nor in regards to the law. In fact, buildings are exempt from ADA if they are on the historical register as well.

R/r 911
 
MSDeltaFlt

MSDeltaFlt

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No laws. The only places I've seen are trauma centers with roof top helipads. Nobody else.
 
reaper

reaper

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Mostly FD or building security would have a key. Never seen any EMS service that had a key. Like was said, some elevators have an emergency button to hold it on that floor. If not, you can use something to keep the door from closing. This will keep it there. I have seen a lot of elevators that have the blue cross by them. I have been told the same thing, that it is larger to fit a stretcher. Not really sure on that though!
 
KEVD18

KEVD18

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i have been on this quest for a few years. here are my results.

there are two different keys that will do what you are looking for. the fire service key and the medical emergency key.

the fire service key do exactly what you want it to do. it does, however, come with one drawback. the elevator may or may not be configured to sound the fire alarm in the case of that key being used. i have a friend/former partner who acquired a fire service key. one day, he used that key to get an elevator at the prudential building in boston. the fire alarm was activated, the fire dept dispatched and the entire bank of elevators(6 cars) immediately dropped to the main floor and two dozen somewhat harried people got off. research indicated that elevators in large commercial buildings are often configured this way, but elevators in smaller building are hit and miss. theres just no way to know unless you make a crib sheet for every elevator in your district. that may be easy in a small town. in boston, thats thousand upon thousands of elevators.

the fabled medical emergency key: i have searched and searched and searched. ive talked to cops, fire men, municipal emts/medics, building security and maintenance. everybody i could think of. nobody has ever seen the key and doesnt know where to get one. ive searched the internet for hours. ive emailed elevator companies. ive done everything i can think of. all i can come up with is that you are hallucinating every time you see that keyed switch. they dont actually exist. its all in your head.
 
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medicdan

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Thanks for your replies. I guess what I am asking about is what the keyslot pictured below is for...?

EDIT: thanks KEV! You answered my question...
 

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KEVD18

KEVD18

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i can only guess that you area whiz at photoshop, since you've posted a picture of something that doesnt actually exist!
 
ffemt8978

ffemt8978

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KEVD18 said:
i can only guess that you area whiz at photoshop, since you've posted a picture of something that doesnt actually exist!
Click to expand...

My guess is that maybe the renamed the Fireman's key to something that doesn't make people think the building is on fire.
 
KEVD18

KEVD18

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i don't think that's it. I've seen elevators that have both, but only in hospitals. one for docs and one for jakes. the only thing is i have never seen one of the med emergency keys actually in existence. Ive asked everybody. i spent two years working for a service where 80% of my call were either going to or coming from one hospital. i knew everybody there on a first name basis. the police, md's, rn's, maintenance, the works. i asked. nobody had one.
 
tydek07

tydek07

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I have never heard of such a key... would be nice tho haha

In a lot of the elevators, if you push the floor and the close door button together... you get a non stop trip. Which is nice when it works
 
N0TOK

N0TOK

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KEVD18 said:
i have been on this quest for a few years. here are my results.

there are two different keys that will do what you are looking for. the fire service key and the medical emergency key.

the fire service key do exactly what you want it to do. it does, however, come with one drawback. the elevator may or may not be configured to sound the fire alarm in the case of that key being used. i have a friend/former partner who acquired a fire service key. one day, he used that key to get an elevator at the prudential building in boston. the fire alarm was activated, the fire dept dispatched and the entire bank of elevators(6 cars) immediately dropped to the main floor and two dozen somewhat harried people got off. research indicated that elevators in large commercial buildings are often configured this way, but elevators in smaller building are hit and miss. theres just no way to know unless you make a crib sheet for every elevator in your district. that may be easy in a small town. in boston, thats thousand upon thousands of elevators.

the fabled medical emergency key: i have searched and searched and searched. ive talked to cops, fire men, municipal emts/medics, building security and maintenance. everybody i could think of. nobody has ever seen the key and doesnt know where to get one. ive searched the internet for hours. ive emailed elevator companies. ive done everything i can think of. all i can come up with is that you are hallucinating every time you see that keyed switch. they dont actually exist. its all in your head.
Click to expand...

I got one...
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dps/...pl-elev-authorization-to-purchase-12-2011.pdf
 
NysEms2117

NysEms2117

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HOLY REVIVE BATMAN!
 
CALEMT

CALEMT

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Achievement unlocked: Bump a 8 year old thread... almost to the exact date too...
 
N0TOK

N0TOK

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CALEMT said:
Achievement unlocked: Bump a 8 year old thread... almost to the exact date too...
Click to expand...
I should have waited for the 27th. Either way I took a class put on by the state http://mfa.chs.state.ma.us/mfa_courses/courseDetails.asp?cid=542&curr=1 and they covered use of the 3502 AKA "Fire Service" key, but when I asked about the "Medical Emergency" key they had no ideas. A bit disconcerting considering the instructor is on the board of elevator something or other for MA.

Here are the keys http://imgur.com/ShwNUHR
 
MMiz

MMiz

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If only it was 2008 again.

I work for the government and often would like keys that aren't available to me. I use eBay. There are fire keys all over eBay. It's where I find teacher's editions of my textbooks, too.
 
NysEms2117

NysEms2117

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akflightmedic

akflightmedic

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In all fairness, the revival did add some useful info to anyone living in MA.

Other than that....holy crap....8 year ROSC!! Impressive!
 
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