Video Series Aims to Improve Ambulance Crash TestingTen new crash methods were developed, and the NIOSH release coincides with National Emergency Medical Services Week. May 25, 2017NIOSH announced it has released a seven-part video series covering crash test methods for ambulance design in order to keep EMS workers safe. The project was co-funded by the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T). Ten new crash methods were developed as a result, and the release coincides with National Emergency Medical Services Week. Emergency vehicles are a safety concern due to the fact EMS workers can't achieve the mobility they need when required to wear a seat belt. "Given the evolution of ambulance design, our research sought to make improvements in seating, patient cots, equipment mounts, storage cabinets, and the overall patient compartment body, leading to the development of new test methods," said James Green, NIOSH's lead project officer and safety engineer. "Working alongside other agencies and industry partners has improved the structural integrity and crash survivability of both the vehicle and the occupant, improving worker safety and security while still allowing them to do their jobs." The videos can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ems/videos.html