The cornerstone of PIFT is patient stability. PIFT is based on the premise that the PIFT paramedic is caring for a single, stable patient while alone in the back of the ambulance. The PIFT paramedic has been trained to use a stability assessment matrix for each call before deciding to accept the transport. Should the patient be deemed by the paramedic not to be stable for transport under the PIFT guidelines, the PIFT paramedic will request additional staff resources in order to transport the patient.