CIF eliminates ambulance requirement for football playoffs

The CIF Board of Managers has eliminated the requirement that an ambulance or other emergency rescue vehicle be present at football playoff games.

A unanimous Board of Managers vote April 5 replaced the ambulance requirement with a requirement that at least two of the precautions of an emergency rescue vehicle, a physician, a paramedic or emergency medical technician, or a certified trainer be present at the game. The previous bylaw required an emergency rescue vehicle as well as a physician, a paramedic, or a certified trainer.

"It's difficult to find an ambulance, especially in first-round games," said CIF commissioner Jerry Schniepp.

A physician, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or certified trainer would be able to render immediate emergency aid. The ambulance response time includes loading and transporting the athlete regardless of whether an ambulance is present on the field.

The CIF Coordinating Council recommended the change on a 29-0 vote March 1.