Emergency Services

The event organizer staffs and equips the event for medical and fire safety. They must establish equipment and personnel needed to affect a workable medical, fire, and safety plan.

Detailed plans need to be based on the specific conditions at the event facility and local, state or federal protocols and regulations. Event organizers should be familiar with local, state, and federal regulations for accident and medical emergencies. At tracks where volunteer medical personnel cannot perform medical duties, the event organizer will be responsible to ensure that proper medical equipment is available, and that proper medical procedures are being followed. A copy of the medical and fire safety plan for each track must be available on-hand, day-of the event.

At least 2 persons who are trained to use the equipment should be assigned to each fire truck. A minimum of 2 persons should be assigned to each fire truck. Fire fighters report to the event organizer.

At least 1 person who is trained to use the equipment will be assigned to a wrecker. Wrecker personnel report to the event organizer. 

  • Ambulances: During any event, there shall be at least 1 ambulance at the track which meets all Advanced Life Support requirements for the jurisdiction in which the event takes place (where “jurisdiction” means the governing body, such as a township, city, or county). A Basic Life Support ambulance is acceptable only if the track medical facility is equipped and staffed for Advanced Life Support. Arrangements for transportation from the track by EMS service should be in the medical operations protocol.
  • Fire Truck: At least 1 fire truck shall be equipped to fight automobile fires. This vehicle should be stationed so that maximum response time is 2 minutes at a speed not to exceed 50 mph.
  • Wrecker: At least 1 wrecker must be capable of lifting any race car in the event. The wrecker may also serve as a fire truck if it is properly equipped and staffed.
    Telephone: A telephone or radio in the tower or medical duty station must be able to contact community emergency services and hospitals.
    Other Equipment: If a power compound rescue tool and trained operator is on call and available within 10 minutes, it does not have to be located at the event site.

  • Emergency Plan: Event organizer will verify that a written emergency plan has been distributed to all emergency and supervisory personnel before the event begins.
  • Briefing: All emergency service personnel should be briefed to review duties, duty stations, equipment, race circuit characteristics, vehicle, and other protocols.
  • Dispatching: Dispatching emergency vehicles onto the track must be authorized by the Race Director or Chief Steward, according to procedures agreed on in advance by the Chief Steward, Chief(s) of Flagging and Communications, Event Organizer.
  • Hospital Arrangements: The Chief Medical Official establish a primary route to the primary and secondary hospital prior to an event, and advise the vehicle drivers.  In advance of the event, the Chief Medical Official must confirm that adequate hospital staff and facilities are available, along with the protocols to be followed, and notify the event organizer.