Redwood City – Calling 911 for a medical emergency may soon dispatch a four-wheel-drive ambulance, with capabilities for improved access and increased safety. San Mateo County’s emergency ambulance services provider, American Medical Response (AMR), is adding three new 4x4 vehicles to its fleet, with the first to be based in Half Moon Bay to serve the Coastside region.
Built on a Ford F-450 chassis cab, the new, custom-built ambulance carries a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds and boasts a 7.3 liter V8 engine and a hydraulic rear suspension, which can lower the height of the patient compartment to make it easier for ambulance crew to move the patient gurney in and out of the vehicle.
Like other equipment in AMR’s fleet in San Mateo County, the advanced life support (ALS) ambulance, will be crewed by a paramedic and an emergency medical technician.
The addition of the 4x4 ambulance will enhance the lifesaving resources in San Mateo County’s coastal areas and the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Skyline Boulevard. In rural areas, muddy or washed-out private roads and driveways, road debris and other obstacles can make it difficult to get lifesaving equipment into place. A tree fallen over a road, for example, might require an ambulance to go around it.
Off-road capabilities can help ambulance crews get closer to patients to deliver care in some situations and make travel in challenging conditions safer and more comfortable. Having the ambulance closer to the patient at the scene also provides first responders with quicker access to supplemental supplies and equipment aboard the vehicle.
Throughout the county, patients are transported to the nearest hospital with the capabilities to address their medical needs. The new 4x4 ambulances will supplement existing lifesaving resources. In addition to ground-based ambulance transportation, patients in remote locations who require time-dependent care may be airlifted to hospitals by specialty medical helicopters.
Travis Kusman, director of the County’s Emergency Medical Services agency, which oversees 911 medical response countywide, says, “We’re looking forward to the introduction of new 4x4 ambulances within the local EMS system. With the winter storms and sometimes challenging road conditions, having a high-clearance four-wheel-drive ambulance can improve access to care as well as enhance safety and comfort for patients and crew.”
The new 4x4 ambulances are being provided by AMR at the County’s request, with their cost offset by an equipment upgrade program, which is part of AMR’s contract to provide services. In total, three older 2-wheel-drive ambulances will be replaced by new 4x4 models.
“AMR San Mateo County is excited to have this new vehicle added to our fleet,” said Deanna Sanchez, operations manager for AMR. “The four-wheel drive capabilities will provide increased access to individuals in the more rural areas of San Mateo County.”
Ambulance crews will be trained and ready to deploy the first 4x4 on the Coastside by April of this year.
Preston Merchant
Communications Officer
San Mateo County Health
650-867-1661
press@smchealth.org