The links to news items below are for information only – the designs and markings portrayed in the articles may not be best practise. Ambulance Visibility may not necessarily agree with statements made in the article or report, especially statements made about visibility and conspicuity devices or markings fitted to vehicles.
OHIO DOT fits green warning lamps to snowploughs
The Ohio Department of Transportation is retrofitting 1,600 trucks with new flashing lights to increase their visibility. Officials with the department said the initiative was prompted by the number of vehicles rear-ending ODOT’s snowplow trucks. ODOT District 11 Deputy Director Lloyd Macadam said the lights on new plow trucks will be integrated into each of the state’s 88 counties and 12 ODOT districts as a result of House Bill 487, which was signed into law by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in September. The new law permits the use of flashing colored lights on ODOT vehicles, with the exception of blue and red, which are only used by law enforcement and emergency vehicles. ODOT will use an amber, green and white color combination. Officials said studies have found that flashing green lights are more easily detected by the human eye. “We’d like them to show up differently and be brighter and show up and have a new pattern, and that’s what the whole purpose of these new lights are.”
Ambulance Victoria accident in Melbourne, Australia
Two paramedics have suffered minor injuries rushing to an emergency call in Melbourne after their ambulance hit a barrier and flipped onto its side. Witnessed tried to free the men, who have not been named, by smashing the ambulance’s windscreen in North Melbourne at around 8.30pm (AEST) last night. The paramedics eventually escaped by crawling to the back of the van. An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman told ninemsn: “Both paramedics got themselves out and while they were obviously shaken, they weren’t injured.” Both men were treated on the scene for minor injuries. The spokeswoman said the cause of the crash was being investigated. Another ambulance was dispatched to the job the men had initially been going to. “Ambulance accidents are very, very rare and that’s still the case,” Ambulance Victoria commander Alan Eade said. Alys Francis – Nine News Australia
NSW Police get a Porsche
– It’s flash and expensive but not very fast!
High-speed crooks and hoodlums may have skipped a heartbeat upon hearing the news that NSW Police have just taken delivery of a Porsche – but it’s not the supercar the bad guys might have been fearing. The Porsche Panamera sedan on loan to the Harbourside Local Area Command – the region immediately north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge – is among the slowest from the Porsche catalogue. The first car Porsche has donated to police in Australia is powered by a regular 3.6-litre V6 shared with Volkswagen – rather than a twin-turbo engine reserved for its thoroughbred machines. The $200,000-plus Panamera will primarily be used as a community liaison vehicle within the Crime Management Unit. The base model Panamera accelerates to 100km/h in a leisurely 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 259km/h. That’s not much quicker than the fleet sedan versions of the Toyota Aurion, Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore – and significantly slower than the performance of Porsche’s supercars which can reach the speed limit in 3 seconds and comfortably eclipse 300km/h. The police Porsche will be equipped with temporary lights and sirens to stop traffic if required, but not radar equipment to catch speeders. The $200,000-plus Panamera will primarily be used as a community liaison vehicle within the Crime Management Unit – not the highway patrol. “The thinking behind the concept is community engagement,” the Superintendent Alan Sicard of the NSW Police, said in a statement. Joshua Dowling – Sydney Morning Herald – 20 September 2012
New ambulances designed for improved safety & care
Henderson County Emergency Management Services has bought two ambulances with new features that will improve safety and care for residents. EMS Manager Mike Barnett said the organization got the ambulances about two weeks ago. They cost about $125,000 each and were paid for out of the EMS budget. “We have a rotation system where we get new ambulances about every four years,” he said. “These new ones are the same styles as the ones we have now, with a van front and box back.” The new ambulances are 7 inches longer and have more head room for better patient care. “The design inside is a little different when it comes to where the cabinets are located,” Barnett said. “We let staff have input on this design because they use them every day. In the last couple of years, we have also added a refrigerated drawer to keep certain medicines cold. This helps for the induced hypothermia we are performing on cardiac arrest patients who get a pulse and meet certain criteria.” Another big change is the striping on the ambulances. “These have what’s called Chevron striping on the back,” Barnett said. “It is similar to what the (Henderson County) Rescue Squad has now. It’s for better visibility. A lot of fire departments and EMS are utilizing this striping for safety reasons when the van has to sit in the roadway.”
Fort Collins area paramedics deploy $120K Mercedes-based ambulance
People who call 911 in the Fort Collins area may find they’re being helped by paramedics driving a new-look ambulance. A new Poudre Valley Hospital EMS ambulance hit the street Sunday, and the Mercedes-based vehicle sports a paint scheme showing the affiliation between Poudre Valley Health System and University of Colorado Hospital. The two systems recently completed a merger and are now called University of Colorado Health. Modern ambulances are mobile emergency rooms stocked with drugs and equipment that paramedics and EMTs use to treat patients as they race to the hospital. But they are also vehicles, and ambulance program manager Steve Main said the system’s other 16 ambulances are disappointingly prone to maintenance problems and poor diesel mileage. Main said only rarely have maintenance concerns caused a problem during a patient transport, but “some of our old ambulances, we have trouble keeping out of the shop.” Ambulances are typically retired when they reach 180,000 miles in about six years, he said. Until last year, the fleet was entirely Ford-based. PVH then bought a Dodge-based ambulance that was better on maintenance but didn’t solve the other problem: mileage. Main said the fleet averages about 7.3 mpg, while the new Mercedes-based ambulance based on a six-cylinder engine offers double the mileage.
SOME say red goes faster but if this is true it seems most Canberrans don’t choose their car for speed. ACT car owners prefer their vehicles to be white, though silver and blue vehicles are still popular choices in the territory. Car registration statistics provided to the Sunday Canberra Times show that while there are 82,126 registered white cars there are just 27,752 coloured red. And those who drive a mustard-colour car share their individual thinking with only 52 other motorists.
There are more than 1800 purple cars registered in Canberra and 256 vehicles are pink. NRMA Insurance research manager Robert McDonald said motorists were now favouring light-coloured cars that provided better visibility. ”White is the new black,” he said. ”You’re even seeing white Ferraris, which is quite different to the norm.” Mr McDonald said research conducted by the organisation into the safest colour for visibility on the road found collisions were more likely to occur with dark coloured cars. He said the safest colour choices were white, yellow and red. Worst for visibility are dark greens and blues, which blend into the rural landscape around Canberra, and silver and grey, which get lost in the colour of the road. He said motorists who drove darker cars should use their headlights as soon as dusk began and not wait until they could not see before they switched them on.
AMBULANCE crews will leave patients in emergency department waiting rooms instead of staying with them until the hospital takes over their care, under a new protocol that doctors have blasted as dangerous. The policy would apply from Saturday, the Ambulance NSW acting chief executive, Mike Willis, told hospital bosses in a letter this week, for less sick patients brought to hospital either because they insisted or because paramedic crews could not identify suitable alternative care.
The protocol would apply to ”low acuity” cases in a limited set of medical conditions, including asthma, diabetic hypoglycaemia, spider or jellyfish stings and dental problems.Palliative care patients and elderly people who have called an ambulance because of mobility or personal problems could also be left in the waiting room before a triage nurse had assessed them.
Julie Robotham – Sydney Morning Herald – 29 March 2012
Editor’s Note – Just over the NSW state border, ACT Ambulance has been successfully using a similar protocol to ease bedblock or ramping for several years.
New 17 metre ambulance vessel for Curtis Island (Queensland – Australia)
The vessel is intended to operate a high-frequency ambulance service in partially smooth waters from Gladstone Harbour to Curtis Island, transferring ambulance patients to land-based Ambulance facilities. The highly efficient hull shape allows high speeds and low washes to be achieved in an environmentally sensitive area. The catamaran form allows a roomy main cabin whilst maintaining the sleek underwater shape – 123 Naval Architects
Union holds safety concerns for motorcycle ambulances
Victoria’s first paramedic motorcycles are unveiled, but already face strong criticism before treating a single patient. Health Minister David Davis showed off the latest emergency units at Etihad Stadium and said they could speed up response and save lives for the 200,000 Code 1 emergencies in Melbourne’s CBD each year. Under a four-year trial, it is hoped paramedics riding the Piaggio 500cc motorcycles will get to scenes quicker to assess if a stretcher vehicle is needed. But with the motorcycles only allowed to operate in perfect conditions because of safety concerns, Opposition health spokesman Gavin Jennings said they would serve a very limited purpose.The Ambulance Employees Association also expressed concern about the safety of the motorcycle units, which it said would only be operating in the CBD where response times were already good.
The red & blue markings used by Victoria Ambulance do not provide the conspicuity needed for motorcycles and in fact camouflage them – read the Ambulance Visibility Blog post on motorcycle conspicuity at:
The Scottish Ambulance Service has invested in new ambulances and equipment to cope with adverse weather conditions. It now has eight new 4×4 accident and emergency vehicles and another two will be delivered by the end of the month. The vehicles will be based across Scotland. The service is also investing in snow tyres and chains for a further 52 vehicles and in December took delivery of 12 patient transport 4×4 vehicles. Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “These new vehicles will further enhance the capability of our existing 4×4 fleet to cope with severe weather and difficult terrain.
Strobe siren on new police cars ‘blind motorists and cause further accidents’, Inspector warns
New ‘strobe sirens’ fitted to police cars are so bright they are blinding motorists and causing accidents, a serving officer has claimed. The policeman – whose popular Inspector Gadget blog is read by thousands each month – said the new flashing lights on patrol cars were so bright they ‘disorientate’ other drivers. Although the force the inspector works for has never been revealed, it is believed to be in one of the counties around London – which he calls Ruralshire. He said this week on his blog that a new fleet of police cars in his area had been kitted out with the lights after bosses bought in ‘cheap family cars’ to replace more expensive patrol cars. He says the new cars, ordered by bosses ‘in charge of choosing the new national procurement standard police vehicles’ had ‘forgotten to talk to patrol officers first’ – saying the new motors are unsuitable for police work. He lists a string of ‘inadequacies’ of the new cars, but states that his ‘personal favourite’ was the bright lights as he witnessed them causing havoc himself. He states: ‘The new red and blue strobes on the roof of the vehicles are so bright that they disorientate drivers on the motorway who are trying to pass an accident scene at night, and create a second accident right on top of the original one.
So why do some people get charged more? “The reason they cost so much, the vast majority of people using the ambulance service aren’t paying the actual cost of using the ambulance service,” said Justin VanEtton, from the Ambulance Association. VanEtton said “cost shifting” means those who are able to pay end up paying more to make up for those who can’t pay. He said the majority of ambulance rides are for Medicare and Medicaid patients and what they pay is capped by the government. Even if their bill is $2,000, the company only gets a fraction of that. “Medicare doesn’t pay what the breakeven point is. The state of New Hampshire, where Medicaid doesn’t do enough, you end up with 10 to 15 percent of people that don’t pay at all,” he said. He also said life-threatening emergencies, like with Kleiner’s mother, cost more for extra service. How far you travel matters, too. Clay Odell licenses EMTs in New Hampshire, and he said bills may be high, but every charge also helps cover the costs of an expensive 24-hour operation.
WMUR9 New Hampshire + video – February 6 2012 – http://www.wmur.com/r/30390143/detail.html
Driven to Distraction – 26 articles from the NY Times
+ Gadgets in Emergency Vehicles Seen as a Peril
+a demonstration game of texting and distractions
With virtually every American owning a cellphone, distracted driving has become a threat on the nation’s roads. Studies say that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers. Yet Americans have largely ignored that research. Device makers and auto companies acknowledge the risks, but they aggressively develop and market gadgets that cause distractions. Police in almost half of all states make no attempt to gather data on the problem. The federal government warns against talking on a cellphone while driving, but no state legislature has banned it.
Through articles, videos and interactive features, The Times has examined the risks of talking and texting behind the wheel. The series also explores the extent of the problem, its origins, and the pressures people feel to stay connected while driving. And the series shows the political, regulatory and scientific dimensions of an issue that has prompted conversations and action across the country, from the Oval Office and statehouses to corporate boardrooms and kitchen tables.
Twelve new Mercedes Sprinter vans have been introduced to Cobb County.
We are replacing our fleet, and the Mercedes Sprinter Van was chosen for several reasons including the state-of-the-art technology and safety features incorporated into the design as well as performance of the vehicle,” MetroAtlanta’s Fleet Manager Ed Long said in a press release. Marietta Patch, 18 January 2012
but thanks to innovative procurement and fleet management they are also resuscitating the local manufacturing industry
Ambulance fleet management is a complex and expensive challenge. It is critical to get it right when lives depend on the safety and reliability of the fleet. State and territory ambulance services collaborate with one another and with their common suppliers on fleet procurement and maintenance to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards required. The average age for replacement of an ambulance is just under four years and the fleet is always being expanded so the demand pressures are great. A secure and sustainable supply chain is imperative. There are three main phases to this process: the acquisition of the base vehicles, the conversion of these base vehicles into ambulances, and vehicle maintenance. The Financial Review, 14 October 2011
Frontenac County’s newest ambulances are hitting the road with a distinct European look.
The county’s five new ambulances, which started entering service this week, carry a completely new colour scheme and design. Gone is the orange stripe along the vehicles’ middle, replaced by a lime green and blue checker-board pattern.The new Battenburg markings were developed in the United Kingdom and are commonly used there, as well as in other parts of Europe, Asia and Australia. “It’s highly visible. It’s the most recognized, sensitive colour to the eye,” said Dave Gemmill, deputy paramedic chief. “It’s highly visible in the daylight and at least 500 metres away in darkness when you come across a vehicle with your headlights.” Adopting the new markings came after 18 months of research. Paramedic vehicle markings are governed by the Ambulance Act, which for years permitted only an orange reflective stripe on a white background. The white background remains, but the legislation now allows emergency services to use the colours they chose as long as they are reflective and highly visible, Gemmill said. The five new ambulances are coming into service across Frontenac County in the next few days. The Kingston Whig Standard, 12 January 2012.
Webmaster’s note – The checker-board markings mentioned in the article are not Battenburg and are in fact being removed from ambulances in countries like Australia due to their low visibility and camouflage effects.
New ambulances go off-road in Gippsland (Victoria, Australia)
Four new ambulances have been allocated to Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Bairnsdale and Mallacoota to help reach patients who require medical assistance in remote areas of East Gippsland. From the 90 mile beach to the high country, East Gippsland contains some of the most rugged and isolated areas in Victoria.Ambulance Victoria has acquired four all-wheel-drive vehicles to help reach these remote locations.The ambulances are worth over $120,000 each and they’re capable of driving on logging tracks and on beaches.
New ambulance delivered to Washburn County EMS in Wisconsin –interesting comments about the lighting, also notice glare from face level lightheads alongside rear doors.
Note: the slow-flashing lights on the sides are more effective in defining the vehicle than the forward and rear facing rapid flash sequence
New ambulance for Southport (Queensland, Australia)
Today I handed over the keys to a much needed Ambulance which will service Labrador, Arundel, Parkwood, Molendinar, Southport, Ashmore, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Bewona & Bundall! Type of Vehicle: 1 x Mercedes Sprinter 319 Ambulance – Cost of Vehicle: $180,000 (Fully Equipped).
Written and
posted on
June 23, 2011 and filed under Southport Electorate News
Four new Ambulance Victoria planes, which can carry extremely sick babies and heavy patients, will soon be up in the air. The new King Air B-200 planes were unveiled by Health Minister David Davis at Essendon Airport on Friday.He said the new aircraft could transport two neonatal emergency cots – used for the sickest babies – as well as being equipped for heavier patients.“The planes have an upgraded stretcher system, which allows them to carry patients weighing up to 240kg – 50 per cent more than the previous set up,” Mr Davis said. The planes also include an improved stretcher-loading system which means the same stretchers used for critical patients in road ambulances can be used in the air. Air Ambulance Victoria fixed wing aircraft transported 4383 patients in 2009-10, with most trips from regional Victoria to Melbourne. Moonee Valley Leader by George Haberfield on 13 June 2011
POLICE car No. 1453 drifted along with the afternoon rush, unnoticed and unhurried. Even, perhaps, unfinished. Car 1453 looks as if it rolled off the assembly line a few
minutes too soon, before arriving at the machine that puts the siren on the roof and the colors on the door decals. But this look is the whole point of No. 1453, which is known throughout the Westchester County police department by its catchier nickname: the ghost car. “Can you see it?” an officer joked, standing in front of the car in the department’s parking lot. The police hope that the answer among drivers texting or chatting on cellphones, or speeding or driving drunk, is no. The car, a 2009 Crown Victoria, joined the fleet two months ago. It is not an unmarked police car, but rather a barely visibly marked police car. It bears all the same decals as a regular police car, but they are white, colorless, like the car itself. The markings really are noticeable only upon close inspection – and hardly noticeable at all, the thinking goes, to a driver who is calling in his pizza order. New York Times, article by Michael Wilson, 26 February 2010
What’s most important is the ability for drivers to recognise a vehicle for what it is rather than its colour, says report.
The 1970s gave a lot to the world, from the sublime to the ridiculous – and the fire service was no exception. It was during this decade that the logic behind the traditional color of fire trucks first began to be questioned by some.
Red, so the argument went, was not as visible as other colors.The color of choice for the forward-thinking and progressive? Lime-yellow. Some departments made the break with tradition in the belief that a change in color scheme could improve the visibility of fire trucks, improving safety for civilians and firefighters alike.The Pinellas Park, Fla., Fire Department was one of them. In 1972, it ordered its first lime-yellow truck. As older vehicles were phased out over the years that followed, they too were replaced with apparatus colored in the new style.However, the department is now going back to its roots. The St. Petersburg Times reported this week that, with a request by the department for three new rescue units, a council member questioned Fire Chief Doug Lewis over the current color scheme. Fire Rescue 1, article by Jamie Thompson, June 17 2010
Fire Rescue 1, article by Jamie Thompson, June 17 2010 – Read the articles
Editors note: There are some amazing claims and interesting interpretations of the FEMA visibility report made in this article, all reinforcing a worrying trend for a return to traditional dark colours – check out the airport fire truck comparison link on the home page (showing that you cannot recognise a dark fire truck if you cannot see it!)
New ambulance a safer ride
Mason City’s newest ambulance has several features designed to enhance the safety of personnel inside. Mason City Fire Chief Bob Platts said larger reflective stripes on the rear of the 2010 model vehicle should make it easier to see the ambulance at night.The ambulance also has LCD lights which are brighter, making it easier to see.”The whole back of the ambulance should be lit up at night. Hopefully, that will slow people down,” Platts said. “You always have your doubts, especially on the interstate.”
The end of daylight savings means there will be more Australians who have difficulties seeing on the road after dark, the TAC and optometrists have warned. A national survey of 1000 Australians, aged 18 to 25, has found one in three drivers are concerned their vision might impact their ability to identify hazards at night. More than half (51 per cent) of the women and 36 per cent of the men also rated their night vision as “poor to average”.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Article by Danny Rose, 6 April 2010 – Read the article
Pink ambulance put into service to support Cancer Society
A new ambulance has been added to Ambulance, Inc. of Laurel County’s stable – and it’s pink. The ambulance is intended to show the company and its personnel’s support of finding a cure for cancer. The white and mostly pink vehicle is intended to not only show support, but to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Every time the vehicle is on a call, the ambulance service will donate $2 to the cancer society. Ambulance service chief Jimmy Bridges said Thursday it will be used in the rotation of the 13 ambulances used by the service on its nearly 9,000 annual ambulance runs.
The Times Tribune, Article by Carl Keith Greene, 29 January 2010.
Sydney paramedics will now be able to reach patients locked in by massive New Year’s Eve crowds thanks to a new, pint-sized ambulance.The latest addition to the NSW Ambulance Service, a micro car measuring a mere 250 centimetres in length, will be deployed for the first time on December 31 after a successful trial earlier this month.Premier Kristina Keneally, who was on hand to announce the $18,000 Smart car ambulance, says it will enable paramedics to manoeuvre through large crowds unlike regular ambulance vehicles – ABC News, 30 December 2009. Read the article & view the video – http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/30/2782862.htm?section=australia
General Motors UK Special Vehicle 2010 Vauxhall Astra available in three Battenburg options.
This is the new Vauxhall Astra police car, which has been prepared by GM UK Special Vehicles to go on sale this winter. Police forces will be able to choose from three high-visibility options – half, three-quarter or full. Standard equipment includes LED running lights and a steering wheel with all the push-to-talk (PTT) and at-scene functions required for police use. Autocar UK, 11 September 2009
Images of Australian Mercedes Sprinter involved in rollover on ETT website
Recently an ETT Sprinter ambulance came unstuck on the Lakes Way near Forster on the NSW mid North Coast. Reportedly the vehicle rolled at least 3 times – (accident investigation is yet to confirm details). Wednesday 22 December 2009.
See the photos – http://www.ettvehicles.com/newlinks.html
Drivers With Parkinson’s Disease At Higher Risk Of Crashes In Low Visibility
Drivers with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease may be at higher risk of crashes on foggy days and other times of low visibility. The research, involving a driving simulation test, is published in the October 6, 2009, print issue of NeurologyВ®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. In addition to affecting movement, Parkinson’s disease affects visual skills, such as the ability to see contrast, and the speed of processing what is seen – Science Daily &
American Academy of Neurology 2009, 6 October 2009
Holden unveils its new US cop car – Sydney Morning Herald
Holden has taken the covers off a purpose-built police car it hopes could lead to a billion-dollar export business in the United States. Company executives revealed the Australian-built Chevrolet police car, based on the long wheelbase Holden Statesman/Caprice, at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in Denver, Colorado. The show is a chance for suppliers to hawk their wares to the North American law enforcement agencies. If the Holden gets the green light from agencies, it could be on the road early in 2011. The public reveal follows confirmation last month by General Motors chief executive Fritz Henderson that the company was on the verge of a deal with a major law enforcement agency, believed to be the Los Angeles Police Department.
Anyone who has had to call an ambulance will know the feeling: the calm efficiency paramedics engender when all around us is out of control. That’s why ambulance officers were voted Australia’s most trusted professionals in our 2008 Reader’s Digest Most Trusted poll – and over the three previous years, too (see the complete results in our July issue, or on our website at www.readersdigest.com.au). We allow them into our our lives, trusting them without question to make life-or-death decisions.
But what makes ambos tick? On an individual level, are they really as trustworthy as everyone thinks? It takes a pretty special person to become a paramedic or an ambulance officer. Most are passionate about what they do: helping people in their time of utmost need, when they are ill – Article by Helen Signy
Read the full article – http://www.readersdigest.com.au/content/printContent.do?contentId=92407
APCO Australia video clip channel now available on YouTube
The creation of a new video channel by APCO now provides public access to some of the remarkable video tributes produced by APCO/Channel 7 and presented to participants at the 2009 APCO conference in Sydney. The conference was held late in the Victorian bushfire crisis with many participants directly involved which made these presentations even more relevant at the time.
Mercedes Benz to integrate Sprinter commercial vehicle operations into US and Canadian subsiduary
Mercedes Benz USA LLC announced today that it will assume responsibility for the sales, marketing distribution and service of Mercedes Benz and Freigthliner comercial vehicles in the United States. Central to the announcement is the creation of Daimler Vans USA, LLC – located in Montville NJ, a wholly owned subsiduary of Daimler AG. The Dodge Sprinter will be discontinued….. 1 September 2009
Pinnacle Session Updates Agencies on Ambulance Chassis Delays and Changes
AJ Heightman, JEMS Editor-in-Chief
Terming it “a wake-up call for EMS,” Mark Van Arnam, president/CEO of American Emergency Vehicles, told the audience of EMS managers attending a special ambulance chassis update session at the 2009 Pinnacle
Conference in Florida last week that emergency service agencies will soon be affected by the massive changes that are happening in Detroit. He reported that the financial condition of the OEM chassis manufacturers has resulted in delays due to lack of orders, weak financial structure and the availability of parts. At present, Ford is running at about two-thirds production speed, and General Motors (GM) is at about half speed due to plant slowdowns and close downs. Dodge has just reopened production facilities after an extended shutdown following their bankruptcy filing. 17 August 2009 – JEMS Magazine
New Bariatric vehicle – latest addition to ACT Ambulance fleet
Uses
automated loading tynes with a hydraulic powered stretcher
The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, has today welcomed a new specialist vehicle to the ACT Ambulance fleet to transport obese patients.
“The new bariatric ambulance is a multifunctional vehicle that has the capability to transport a patient weighing up to 500 kilograms,” Mr Corbell said. “The transportation of obese patients is an area of growing challenge for all ambulance services and health agencies around Australia. “This new vehicle is leading edge in design and has an automated loading system. It will improve patient care and safety as well as substantially reduce the manual handling involved with transporting patients with special needs.” Canberra, Australia – 31 July 2009
TASMANIA Police will use four high-visibility police cars on highways and major roads to crack down on drivers.
Acting Police Commissioner Darren Hine announced the 12-month trial yesterday.
“Their purpose will be to enforce the traffic laws and act as a high-visibility deterrent to road users — those motorists who are prepared to risk their lives and the lives of others by taking unacceptable risks while driving,” he said….
The cars, also known as “candy cars”, will be marked with a blue-and-white chequered pattern and horizontal fluorescent stripes in a widening pattern. Hobart, Australia – 4 May 2009
Emergency vehicle visibility and conspicuity study released by FEMA
The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), announces the release of the Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study. The study report highlights the results of a U.S. Department of Justice – National Institute of Justice (NIJ) supported project intended to enhance emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders. Emmitsburg, Maryland – 18 August 2009
American Ambulance touts safety in European-style design
Putnam, Conn. – With their new checkerboard design in neon yellow and blue, the American Ambulance Service vehicles will be hard to miss. The company unveiled the first emergency vehicle with its brand new, European-style design Wednesday at Day Kimball Hospital. Norwich Bulletin – 8 July 2009 http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x931224855/Emergency-vehicles-get-new-look#relPhotos
New design improves ambulance visibility in Muskoka
Muskoka, Ontario – In the coming weeks, the public will see brighter, more visible markings on ambulance vehicles in Muskoka as part of a plan to improve visibility and recognition of emergency services vehicles and staff. Weekender – 1 May 2009
Wiinipeg, Ontario – The province unveiled one of its new high-tech ambulances at the legislature Tuesday and although it has yet to see action, paramedics are giving it a passing grade. After all, if it’s good enough for Australia and Europe it should be good enough for the prairies. Winnipeg Free Press – 11 July 2009
A detailed PowerPoint PDF is available on the downloads page – CLICK HERE
RETTmobil 2009, Fulda, Germany
A flood of visitors attended the exhibition at Fulda-Galerie from Wednesday until Friday of this week, to which the organisers quickly and readily responded, a view that is shared by IKR Chairman Manfred Hommel and the vast majority of exhibitors. “Many of them have already booked for next year’s RETTmobil 2010 among which some increased the size of their display areas substantially. Satisfied faces all over – exhibitors and visitors alike.
Raleigh, North Carolina – EMS Chief Skip Kirkwood said at a news conference Monday that the program is the first of its kind in the nation. The new advanced practice paramedics will be dispatched to treat the sickest patients and help prevent emergencies among high-risk groups such as the elderly through education and outreach. EMS1.com – 6 Jan 2009
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