ScanRiverside.com

Hope Kingscup or someone can shed some light on this.

What happens when an ambulance that works in Riverside County travels out of the county (ambulance transporting sick children to L.L.U.C.H. for example)? That is, if they use a specific frequency in Riverside County, do they need to switch channels in San Bernardino County in order to be able to maintain contact with the dispatcher?

Thanks.

Ambulances will maintain contact with their dispatch for as long as possible once they leave the county. The range will depend on the radio system, topography, input/output etc. It would be similar to a scanner. You can hear San Bernardino County traffic in Riverside County but the farther away from San Bernardino County, the less likely you will hear traffic. Once an ambulance is out of radio range, they will use a cell phone for dispatch and hospital contact.

So in reality, ambulances use the radio for as long as they are within range, but have the ability to use phones for communication and hospital transports.