When the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance responds to an emergency the ambulance in use must be well equipped and updated. This 14,000-pound emergency room-on-wheels must meet a high standard of reliability. The challenge is to keep a dependable fleet on the road even as the average ambulance in the U.S. lasts just 7 to 10 years, according to industry experts.
On April 20, the SVAA welcomed a new Type 1 heavy duty box ambulance. The addition was part of a plan that anticipated the replacement of three ambulances, one in 2022 and two in 2025.
The design of these new additions was built by a robust committee of EMTs and paramedics and others. Committee oversight of the project was led by Jack Muska, a former engineer at Pratt & Whitney, Director of Suffield Public Works, and an EMT with the SVAA.
Safety for patients and care providers was the top priority in designing the new ambulances. They are equipped with drive cams for safety and training purposes and increased situational awareness for the driver.
The Haas Alert system is also installed. As soon as the ambulance lights are on, a safety cloud is activated which informs navigation apps like Waze that an emergency vehicle is approaching. Drivers are notified. This reduces the likelihood of accidents.
Additionally, UV light disinfection devices have been added to inactivate pathogens like viruses and bacteria in the care area. Other new specifications for the interior of the care area provide additional safety for everyone.
“A lot of work and research went into these trucks. Membership was surveyed before the design and again about a month after the April delivery of the vehicle.”, said SVAA Chief John Spencer. “Our designs are safety-centric. The three new ambulances are essentially the same in terms of drawers, layout, equipment storage. All care providers can reach supplies and control boards from a belted, seated, stable position. Everything is secured so no projectiles are possible.”, the Chief concluded.
It only takes eight weeks to manufacture an ambulance but it takes years for those eight weeks to begin. The wait is now 4.5 years. This is partly due to recent factors like reduced work forces, computer chip shortages, increased demand following the Covid epidemic, and panic buying inspired by perceived difficulty in purchasing.
“Thanks to good financial planning by leadership and the Board of Directors, we put money away every year to replace our major assets. As a result, we’re in a good position to cushion the very large investment in the new ambulances.”, says Board of Trustees Chairman, Don Miner.
In early June, Chief Spencer and Jacob Audette, SVAA Fleet Captain, will visit the manufacturer in North Carolina where they’ll inspect the final new vehicle for imperfections or defects before acceptance.
These last two new ambulances required a significant total investment surpassing $600,000. The SVAA has already begun tithing away funds for their replacement in 2032 and 2035.
There may be a twist or two ahead. The forward-thinking design of the new ambulances allows for the patient care compartment, a.k.a. the box, to be remounted to a new chassis, which would reduce replacement costs. Barring the potential loss of any newly developed technology in doing so, leadership of the SVAA will take that option into consideration.