In a continuing effort to increase safety for its field employees, Rural/Metro Medical Services has enlisted the aid of DriveCam.

DriveCam, Inc. is the leading provider of systems that identify and improve driving behavior for commercial fleets. Based in San Diego, the company's driver feedback systems have reduced annual collision rates and corresponding operating costs by as much as 70%. When collisions occur, DriveCam recordings provide unbiased evidence to determine fault and expose fraudulent insurance claims.

The DriveCam system includes a small camera that attaches to the windshield of the ambulance. It continuously records audio and video both inside and outside the vehicle. The only time the recording is saved is when it is activated by a sudden stop, sharp turn, or any other jarring movement such as an accident. Crews can also activate the device by hitting a “panic button” should they witness an event.

The images generated by the devices are downloaded into a central server. Any incidents that trigger the camera are then sent to the appropriate manager for review. “So far it has made a difference in reminding our crews to continuously be aware of excellent safe driving habits at all times,” says Thomas Schifferli, Operations Manger of Rural/Metro Medical Services in Western New York. “Not to mention that we anticipate a significant difference in overall vehicle maintenance costs.”

For more information, please call Steve Beauchamp, Public Affairs and Marketing Manager at (716) 882-8400 Ext 323, or (716) 866-6161 (Cell).

Rural/Metro, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, has satellite offices and ambulance bases in Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and Niagara Falls as well as several others locations throughout Erie, Niagara and Orleans Counties. Their 550+ Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians and support personnel are responsible for servicing 22 hospitals and over 100 nursing homes and health care facilities as well as the one million residents that reside in Western New York.