11.17.14 – Most postal employees are not aware that they are not authorized to call 911 if there is a medical emergency at their office. The USPS ELM states the following regarding medical emergencies:

866 – Medical Emergencies
See also Handbook EL–806, Health and Medical Service, chapter 1.

866.1 Requirement
All heath services offices must be prepared to respond to emergencies and to provide medical assistance as required.

866.2 Emergency Procedures
The recommended procedures for handling medical emergencies on postal premises are as follows:

– Notify the health services office.
– Notify security or other designee, who calls 911.
– Evaluate (nurse or doctor) to determine severity of injury or illness.
– Provide necessary first aid treatment.
– Notify postmaster, personnel officer, or senior official in charge.
– Transport the employee to hospital by most appropriate means if required.
– In non–work–related cases, consult the employee’s physician after control of the emergency and before any other arrangements are made. If the physician is not available, transport the employee to the nearest hospital or hospital of choice.

The NBC Bay Area tells today that this USPS policy may have caused critical delays in a life and death situation” at the West Oakland Processing and Distribution Center where LSM operator Samuel Macasieb was critically injured in August.

Please read the NBC Bay Area article here