This SCEMS Protocol Manual should be edited, and if needed re-written, by the Executive Board at the beginning of their term.

This manual will be reproduced for all acting members of SCEMS. Copies must also be made available to Smith College Health Services Nursing Staff, the (Medical) Director of Health Services, and Smith College Public Safety. All members must read and follow these protocols exactly. This manual should be brought to all general meetings to serve as SCEMS handbook. Any questions on Protocol procedures should be directed toward the current Chief/President.

General Purpose
In conjunction with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), it is the purpose of this document to provide each member of Smith College Emergency Medical Services (SCEMS) with a clear, written guide to follow in the everyday operations of the Department. Additionally, this document sets forth a standard of conduct and expectation for each member of the Department.

Application
Unless otherwise provided, these standards apply to all members of Smith College EMS.

Distribution
A copy of the standards, as well as SOPs, will be available to each member of the Department. It is the responsibility of each member to maintain, read and understand these documents.

Clarification
It is the intent of these standards and SOPs to define the Department's method of operation. It is the responsibility of each new member to familiarize themselves with these standards. These policies and SOPs will be reviewed with each new member as part of the orientation process. If, at any time, a member does not understand any of these standards or their intent, it is that members responsibility to ask an officer for clarification.

Amending
The Executive Board may amend this document as necessary and ensure that all copies of the document are undated.

Absence of Standard
In the absence of a standard or SOP pertaining to any aspect of the Department's operation, state of nationally accepted practices shall be followed.

Definitions:

Chief/President's Office
The Chief/President's Office is the head of the Department and is the final authority on all matters of policy, operations, and administration within the Department, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local ordinances. The Office consists of the Chief/President, and the Co-Chief(s)/Vice-President(s).

The Department
The correct name is Smith College Emergency Medical Services, herein referred to as SCEMS. For the purpose of this document, the Department shall refer to the entire organization.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
The activity of the Department primarily involved with the treatment and facilitated transport of persons that are ill or injured.

Health Services
SCEMS is an outreach program of Health Services, the on-campus medical provider for Smith College. Health Services is located in the Elizabeth Mason Infirmary and is the primary receiving facility for patients care for by SCEMS.

Department of Public Safety
This is the Department's dispatching center as well as the primary facilitator of patient transport to Health Services and/or Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Officers from the DOPS shall be present at all medical emergencies attended by SCEMS. Also known as Security.

Member of the Department
Any properly appointed First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician, any person contributing to the Department and attending bimonthly trainings, or officer of the Department. Personnel without certification are considered members, but are not active. Personnel on probation are considered members for the period of their probation, but certain restrictions may apply to their operations.

Orders
Commands or instructions issued by an officer, or a member of the Executive Board clearly invoking authority. These instructions may be written or oral.

Policies
Policies are the written rules and regulations for citing the expected conduct and responsibilities of each member to accomplish the objectives of the Department. Violation of policies may be cause for disciplinary action.

Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
Standard Operating Procedures are designed to give members acceptable methods of accomplishing specific tasks. Occasionally, circumstances may dictate a deviation from the SOPs, but sound and justifiable reasoning must be the basis for any deviation.

Standards
Standards is the term used for levels of expected performance in the operation of the Department. Standards seek to support fairness and high operation and may be produced by local, state or national organizations.

Personnel Assignments:

Executive Board
Executive Board consists of the Chief/President's Office and officers. Vacancies shall be filled by recommendation of the Department, subject to confirmation a general body vote. Appointments shall be for one academic year. The Chief/President may, at their discretion, appoint acting officers to serve in the capacity of a given rank. Acting officers shall be accorded all responsibilities and authority for the position designated. There will be monthly Executive Board meetings with the (Medical) Director of Health Services to review recent performance and general workings of the Department. Occasionally the Nursing Coordinator of Health Services, Director of Public Safety, and a Public Safety officer will attend these meetings.

Chief/President's Office
The Chief/President's Office is the head of the Department and is the final authority on all matters of policy, operations, and administration within the Department, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local ordinances. The Office is directly responsible to the head physician of Health Services, for the safe, effective and efficient operation of the Department, and bear the ultimate responsibility in all areas of administration and operations. The Office consists of the Chief/President, and of the Co-Chief(s)/Vice-President(s).

Officers
Lieutenants shall be responsible for the duties assigned to them at the lime of election by the general body.
There shall be at least one, but not more than two, Officers in the positions of Personnel, Equipment and Budget, Communications, and Training Coordination. If necessary, the Executive Board or Chief/President's Office may elect an additional member to the Board to assist with additional projects and miscellaneous tasks. In the absence of a member of the Chief/President's Office, an officer may assume the responsibilities of the absent member until relieved.

Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial matters of the Department. She serves as a liaison between SCEMS and the Student Bank at the Campus Center. She will advise the Executive Board on all procedures pertaining to obtaining funds from the College, including the Student Government Association. There are leadership meetings sponsored and required by the Campus Center which the Treasurer will be required to attend.

Personnel
The officer in charge of personnel is responsible for the maintenance of personnel records for each member and any written review of a member's performance. The officer shall schedule members for regular shifts for the hours of operation of the Department, as well as for special events where SCEMS has been requested. Her duties shall include assigning all call signs to active members, posting a roster with phone numbers in the Public Safety office, and posting and distributing a weekly crew schedule to the SCEMS office, Nursing Station, and Medical Director's mail box, and maintaining current information on all documents.

Equipment
The officer in charge of equipment is responsible for all equipment used by the Department. She will maintain a current inventory listing the equipment owned by SCEMS. She is in charge of advising the rest of the Executive Board on equipment purchases as needed. The officer is also responsible for the purchasing of uniforms and ID badges.

Communications
The officer in charge of communications is responsible for notifying all members of SCEMS of the time and location of all general body and Executive Board meetings via electronic, phone, or paper mail. She shall take minutes of the general meetings to be posted in the SCEMS office for at least two weeks after the meeting. These shall be collected in a minutes-log in the office. She is also responsible for documenting the written excuses for missed meetings and will send notices of reprimand to those members with unexcused absences and ensure that all active members attend 75% of general meetings each semester.

Training
The Training Coordinator shall be in charge of coordinating the fall semester First Responder class, and be in communication with Amherst College EMS regarding the January Emergency Medical Technician class. She will serve as the liaison between the trainers and SCEMS.