Code Blue

How it began:  

In the late 1990s, Alaska’s rural EMS community was declared to be in crisis due to aging infrastructure. The Code Blue Project was established by the State  Office of EMS and the EMS Regions and funded by the State Legislature to provide essential EMS equipment by leveraging limited state dollars with funding from other non-traditional sources. This influx of resources has helped to provide patient care and training equipment, patient transport, and communication needs, allowing responders to do their jobs in a safe and effective manner.

How it Works:

Requests are reviewed and approved at both the local and regional levels before being scrutinized by the State's Code Blue Steering Committee. The Committee consists of representatives from each of the seven EMS regions and the State EMS Office.   From this collaborative process, one prioritized list is made annually of essential EMS equipment that addresses Alaska’s most critical needs.  

What We’ve Accomplished:

The variety of projects reflects the vast geographical and environmental differences in Alaska.  Ambulances, snow machines, and ATVs with patient transport sleds and carts, boats equipped with first responder gear, and other unique patient transport vehicles are funded along with cardiac monitors, radios, oxygen delivery systems, pediatric and training equipment.

When and How to apply in Interior Region:

 IREMSC sends Code Blue applications are available in the Fall of every year and are due back in mid-January. Code Blue applications are only accepted for equipment; training or expendable items are not eligible. To see additional requirements and guidelines, please review the Code Blue Policy Manual.

To complete a Code Blue application, services need to complete the Code Blue Submission Packet. Individual components of the packet include the Code Blue Guidelines pamphlet, Code Blue Item Assessment table, Code Blue Equipment Request form, and the EMS Survey.