Dare County EMS Add New 4WD Ambulances to Fleet

Just in time for the start of the busy summer season in Dare County, the Department of Emergency Medical Services has replaced three older model ambulances with state of the art ambulances to better serve the community. Answering the needs of 30,000 year-round residents and a weekly visiting population of 300,000, EMS staff is excited for the improvements to service the ambulances bring for both employees and patients.

The new ambulances sit on Ford F-450 4×4 chassis. The 4×4 ambulances will provide additional options when roads, including NC12 to Hatteras, become impassable due to overwash and other weather related adverse driving conditions. The new models have improved truck handling and smoother rides in the patient compartment thanks to liquid spring suspension. The liquid spring suspension automatically and instantaneously levels the load and compensates for movements while maneuvering the vehicle.

“Our new units meet current industry standards for safety, especially new stringent standards related to crash tests. These new standards have resulted in improvements in responder and patient safety,” remarked Chief Jennie Collins.

The new ambulance stretchers can accommodate up to 700 pounds and a new fastener system automatically lifts the patient up to the loading level of the ambulance. Previous model ambulances had doors opening out into roadways, the new EZ Glide doors will slide open down the side of the ambulance mitigating risks to employees and damage to doors from high winds frequent in Dare County.

Over the course of a year, staff on the EMS Ambulance Build Workgroup researched and reviewed manufacturers, the latest technological advances and design options as well as spoke to other EMS agencies about recent purchase experiences. The workgroup selected a manufacturer, designed the new units, then selected the options and features to meet the needs of staff and the comfort and safety of patients. Members of the EMS Ambulance Build Workgroup include Captain Jeff Mitchell, Lieutenant Steve Burritt, Advanced EMT Bill Laricos, Paramedic Kristen (Weaver) Burritt, Paramedic Lee Goldman and Paramedic David Hooks.

Check out the new ambulances, get a free blood pressure check and meet EMS staff at the EMS Week Open Houses on Wednesday, May 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Station 1 in Kill Devil Hills, Station 2 in Manteo and Station 3 in Buxton. More information is available at darenc.com/ems.