--- title: The Emergency Vehicle Maintenance Checklist Everyone Should Have description: Your portable suction unit is a vital tool, so employ an emergency vehicle maintenance checklist to ensure it’s always ready. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-118616122-1.png --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [The Emergency Vehicle Maintenance Checklist Everyone Should Have](https://blog.sscor.com/the-emergency-vehicle-maintenance-checklist-everyone-should-have) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Jan 30, 2025 8:00:00 AM 2 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-emergency-vehicle-maintenance-checklist-everyone-should-have#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-emergency-vehicle-maintenance-checklist-everyone-should-have#) 0 ![The Emergency Vehicle Maintenance Checklist Everyone Should Have](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-118616122-1.png?width=700&name=rsz_gettyimages-118616122-1.png "The Emergency Vehicle Maintenance Checklist Everyone Should Have") In the field of EMS, maintenance is critical. Our trucks must be kept in good working order, our drugs must be up to date, and even our [knowledge base ](https://blog.sscor.com/emt-airway-management-three-scenarios-to-train-and-prepare-for)must be tweaked regularly to ensure we keep up with new trends in the field and keep our skills sharp.   Checklists are a great way of ensuring nothing is skipped. Weekly truck checkouts ensure our rigs are safe and functional, daily logs enable us to account for each piece of equipment, and drug inventories remind us to remove expired meds from our inventory. Checklists promote thorough accountability.   [![New: Determining the Contents of Your First-In Bag: What Every Paramedic Should Consider. Free Guide & Checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/bb7f2de5-6d9a-4d03-ab05-2f80845478d7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/bb7f2de5-6d9a-4d03-ab05-2f80845478d7)   But what about our [portable suction units](https://www.sscor.com/)? Do we have a checklist for those? As one of the most vital pieces of equipment in our ALS assemblage, if we don’t have a suction maintenance checklist, it’s time to create one. A suction unit checklist should cover three primary areas:   ## **1. Before the Call** Equipment readiness is vital to the success of patient care. Here are items that should be part of your pre-event suction checklist: - Batteries charged - Batteries in good working order - Replacement batteries on hand - The suction unit is clean - The suction unit is operable - Extra catheters are on hand   ## **2. During the Call** The portable suction unit should be incorporated into your ALS assemblage. That means ensuring someone is designated to grab the unit when you arrive on the scene. Having a well-coordinated team means that everyone knows their responsibilities before arrival, which will [ensure smooth operations](https://blog.sscor.com/establishing-a-suction-procedure-three-things-to-consider) on every emergency call.   ## **3. After the Call** A thorough [suction maintenance checklist](https://blog.sscor.com/three-best-practices-for-portable-suction-machine-maintenance) will ensure the unit is returned to service once after use. The after-call portion of the checklist should include: - Cleaning the unit - Use of proper disinfectant (follow the manufacturer’s guidelines) - All disposables have been replaced - Cleaning both the interior and exterior of the unit - Unit is restocked - Machine readiness (Keep the suction unit on charge when not in use!) - Batteries charged - Batteries replaced if necessary - The unit returned to the truck - Replace with the backup unit when necessary   [![New: Ultimate Guide To Purchasing A Portable Emergency Suction Device](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678)   EMS professionals have a lot of responsibility, both on-scene and off. And one of your most important responsibilities is ensuring every piece of equipment is functional and available. Your [portable suction unit](https://www.sscor.com/ems_suction_products?hsCtaTracking=4ac841f5-daa4-48fd-b7c7-d464e09ace5e%7Cdcd8e09a-d83c-4de4-826a-f3dc12a0a17e) is a vital tool, so employ a maintenance checklist to ensure it’s always ready.   *Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in January, 2024. It has been re-published with additional up to date content.*   [![aspirator_test_kit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/f4359982-7fde-45f6-9fbd-4dacbdfce8cf.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/f4359982-7fde-45f6-9fbd-4dacbdfce8cf) Topics: [Emergency Preparedness](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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