Blood bikes

Capri · 21-09-2014 8:51am #1

This new fleet of Blood bikes , are they part of the National Ambulance fleet, or who's in contol of them and what sort of training do they get ? And could they be used for organ transfer as well ?

Bang Bang · 21-09-2014 10:25am

Capri wrote: »

This new fleet of Blood bikes , are they part of the National Ambulance fleet, or who's in contol of them and what sort of training do they get ? And could they be used for organ transfer as well ?

They are separate groups of people operating in a voluntary capacity. They are not part of the National Ambulance Service and are not tied in with the national fleet. Contact is made between the hospital requiring the service and the volunteers on call at the time the request is made.

Blood1 · 21-09-2014 1:08pm

Capri wrote: »

This new fleet of Blood bikes , are they part of the National Ambulance fleet, or who's in contol of them and what sort of training do they get ? And could they be used for organ transfer as well ?

They are all volunteers of Blood Bikes which there is now 7 groups spread out across the country, they move Cat B substance, breast milk, and other items between Hospitals within the 26 counties for free.

The bikes are bought and owned by the individual Blood Group Charity, they get no funding from any Government agencies, they rely on fundraising & events to raise monies to keep the Charity going without the help of the public and Companies sponsoring goods etc this would not be possible.

Hope this answers your question.

Mycroft H · 21-09-2014 3:59pm

What sort of training do they get?

punisher5112 · 21-09-2014 8:14pm

ROSPA.

They are trainned and tested to highest of standards as they have bikes fitted with blue lights if needed.

Garda motorcyclist trainning would be at similar level to what they have to have.

It's an advanced riding course.

Are you looking to join ?

It is something I would liked to contribute my time too when have the money to get the training.

21-09-2014 8:36pm

There is a comprehensive thread on it here,

https://www.esforum.org/showthread.php?tid=6384

Should have most of the common questions and arguments there already.

Scatter Cat · 22-09-2014 10:21am

Impressive fleet. Check out the Blood Bike Leinster Facebook page.

Stheno · 22-09-2014 10:23am

Scatter Cat wrote: »

Impressive fleet. Check out the Blood Bike Leinster Facebook page.

Amazing service

Capri · 22-09-2014 10:34pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

ROSPA.

They are trainned and tested to highest of standards as they have bikes fitted with blue lights if needed.

Garda motorcyclist trainning would be at similar level to what they have to have.

It's an advanced riding course.

Are you looking to join ?

It is something I would liked to contribute my time too when have the money to get the training.

What I'm thinking more about is the growth of blue / white strobes on 'private' vehicles. I seem to remember doctors having some legal problems with using green strobes before, yet now 'private' volunteers can use blue lights , so the 'Urgent Blood delivery' cars/taxis will to get to use blue strobes ??
I also saw a 'cowboy' on his Gold Wing with white strobes coming up quickly behind cars pretending to be Garda/Ambulance bike. I can see it getting to a point where there'll be an accident caused by some driver thinking he has to move over for a fake 'Emergency vehicle' :mad:

Scatter Cat · 22-09-2014 10:39pm

It has to be insured as an emergency vechile. And their is a strict protocol for blue light usage among all voulenter groups of all kinds.
And no group wants a Walter Mitty ruining a great service for everybody.

CharlieCroker · 22-09-2014 10:42pm

Capri wrote: »

What I'm thinking more about is the growth of blue / white strobes on 'private' vehicles. I seem to remember doctors having some legal problems with using green strobes before, yet now 'private' volunteers can use blue lights , so the 'Urgent Blood delivery' cars/taxis will to get to use blue strobes ??
I also saw a 'cowboy' on his Gold Wing with white strobes coming up quickly behind cars pretending to be Garda/Ambulance bike. I can see it getting to a point where there'll be an accident caused by some driver thinking he has to move over for a fake 'Emergency vehicle' :mad:

I wouldn't consider blood bikes to be a "take" emergency service, but a voluntary one such as the order of Malta.

Spoke to one of the lads from blood bikes east when we fundraising, he said they don't really need the blue lights unless it's an emergency in which case they look for a garda escort

Bosh · 23-09-2014 8:36am

As they are engaged in the transportation of blood/organs they are permitted to have flashing blue lights & sirens fitted.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2006/en/si/0342.html

But as they are not classed as an ambulance, riders do not have exemption under the Road Traffic Act, hence the requirement for a Garda escort at which point they do.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2010/en/act/pub/0025/sec0087.html

HTH.

Schindlers Pissed · 23-09-2014 6:07pm

If they don't have any exemptions under the Road Traffic Act then what's the point of lights and sirens??

Scatter Cat · 23-09-2014 6:09pm

This is all old news and was discussed on ESF forum ages ago.

Del2005 · 23-09-2014 6:11pm

Schindlers Pissed wrote: »

If they don't have any exemptions under the Road Traffic Act then what's the point of lights and sirens??

So when they are being escorted by the Gardaì drivers might be aware of them and not pull out in front of them after the Garda vehicle has passed.

Scatter Cat · 23-09-2014 6:14pm

Schindlers Pissed wrote: »

If they don't have any exemptions under the Road Traffic Act then what's the point of lights and sirens??

You don't have to go over the speed limit for blues to help you progress.

Schindlers Pissed · 23-09-2014 6:24pm

That's true. So they basically force motorists to move over (which involves risk) and then they stop at a red light up the road.

Doesn't seem very logical to me.

flazio · 23-09-2014 6:36pm

Schindlers Pissed wrote: »

That's true. So they basically force motorists to move over (which involves risk) and then they stop at a red light up the road.

Doesn't seem very logical to me.

So what would you suggest? Remove the high viz lights and let them be delayed in traffic like the rest of us?

Schindlers Pissed · 23-09-2014 8:22pm

What's the alternative? Use lights to get through traffic and then have no exemptions under the RTA so they can't progress through lights anyway….? I'm not arguing here, I just don't see the point. Either it's one or the other.

Why have they lights to move through traffic if they have no exemptions? What's to stop me putting lights on my own bike to save time getting to work? Or anybody?

Del2005 · 23-09-2014 10:51pm

Schindlers Pissed wrote: »

That's true. So they basically force motorists to move over (which involves risk) and then they stop at a red light up the road.

Doesn't seem very logical to me.

They are on bikes so they don't need to force traffic out of the way. They have access to blues and sirens but I doubt they use them unless in convoy with Gardaí vehicles.

Scatter Cat · 23-09-2014 10:53pm

Did you know that you can travel from Dublin (Newlands) to Limerick without seeing traffic lights.

Mint Sauce · 23-09-2014 10:57pm

Seen one of the these bikes in Sligo a week or two ago, great service. Never knew they were voluntary.

Blood1 · 24-09-2014 12:48am

Looks like that thread has started up again on esf h**ps://w*w.esforum.org/showthread.php?tid=6384&page=15

Esel · 24-09-2014 1:07am

Scatter Cat wrote: »

Did you know that you can travel from Dublin (Newlands) to Limerick without seeing traffic lights.

And, your point is... what, exactly?

Is it that a person in Limerick (or Dublin, going the other way) who needs a blood transfusion asap gives a fcuk how the blood arrives, or how legal the transport is?

I just hope that in this scenario the blood gets there by the fastest possible available means, whether that is a taxi, helicopter, jet, motorcycle, train, plane, police car, private car (breaking a load of rules but not causing mayhem on the way...).

Someone lives on, OK?

flazio · 24-09-2014 1:32am

Scatter Cat wrote: »

Did you know that you can travel from Dublin (Newlands) to Limerick without seeing traffic lights.

Really? So how do they control the toll gates at Mountrath?

Esel · 24-09-2014 1:49am

flazio wrote: »

Really? So how do they control the toll gates at Mountrath?

No freeflow there? WTF..

Scatter Cat · 24-09-2014 10:08am

flazio wrote: »

Really? So how do they control the toll gates at Mountrath?

That's not a traffic light!

Capri · 24-09-2014 12:50pm

Bosh wrote: »

As they are engaged in the transportation of blood/organs they are permitted to have flashing blue lights & sirens fitted.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2006/en/si/0342.html

But as they are not classed as an ambulance, riders do not have exemption under the Road Traffic Act, hence the requirement for a Garda escort at which point they do.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2010/en/act/pub/0025/sec0087.html

HTH.

Well, you live and learn

So I presume taxis that carry blood / organs can use blues and twos now

The requirements of article 40 (in so far as it refers to articles 41, 42 48 and 49) and articles 41, 42, 48 and 49 (except sub-article 9) do not apply to a lamp complying with paragraph (b) which is carried on a vehicle being used -

(i) by a member of the Garda Síochána in the performance of his or her duties as such member,

(ii) as a fire brigade vehicle,

(iii) by persons providing an ambulance service,

(iv) by the Irish Prison Service,

(v) as an Irish Marine Emergency Service vehicle, with or without a trailer,

(vi) for the delivery or collection of human transplant organs human blood or human blood products,

And I'm wondering about these private limos with strobes, probably covered as well :rolleyes:

Blood1 · 24-09-2014 5:55pm

Capri wrote: »

Well, you live and learn So I presume taxis that carry blood / organs can use blues and twos now

And I'm wondering about these private limos with strobes, probably covered as well :rolleyes:

I dont think it would cover a privately owned vehicle, or they would get insurance cover either.

Hooch · 24-09-2014 10:54pm

Esel wrote: »

And, your point is... what, exactly?

Is it that a person in Limerick (or Dublin, going the other way) who needs a blood transfusion asap gives a fcuk how the blood arrives, or how legal the transport is?

I just hope that in this scenario the blood gets there by the fastest possible available means, whether that is a taxi, helicopter, jet, motorcycle, train, plane, police car, private car (breaking a load of rules but not causing mayhem on the way...).

Someone lives on, OK?

We do not condone any breaches of the Road Traffic Act on this forum.

Warning issued

Schindlers Pissed · 24-09-2014 10:58pm

Esel wrote: »

And, your point is... what, exactly?

Is it that a person in Limerick (or Dublin, going the other way) who needs a blood transfusion asap gives a fcuk how the blood arrives, or how legal the transport is?

I just hope that in this scenario the blood gets there by the fastest possible available means, whether that is a taxi, helicopter, jet, motorcycle, train, plane, police car, private car (breaking a load of rules but not causing mayhem on the way...).

Someone lives on, OK?

Breaking a load of rules but not causing mayhem? How do you suggest you do that?

Blood bikes

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