McLean Volunteer Fire Department officials for the first time in the department’s 103-year history have a third ambulance available to serve the public.
“This is a significant increase in our capability to provide prompt, top-tier emergency medical services to our community,” said department spokesman Thom Shanker.
The Road Rescue Ultra Medic ambulance, which cost $307,000, was financed via donations small and large from community residents.
The McLean Community Foundation gave the department a $38,496 grant to pay for a Stryker Power-LOAD cot system and its installation in the ambulance. The system, which supports the patient during loading and unloading, will increase safety for patients and department personnel, officials said.
The department also received a $13,000 donation from the Woman’s Club of McLean, which organized a Kitchen and Garden Tour as a fund-raiser for the department.
The public will have a chance to see and photograph the new ambulance March 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the “I Love McLean Celebration” at the McLean Community Center.
McLean Volunteer Fire Department president Patricia Moynihan, using information provided by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Capt. Lynn Clancy, gave the GazetteLeader further details about the new ambulance:
This is the department’s third Road Rescue Ultra Medic ambulance. What’s special about that brand, why does the department keep choosing it?
“The department selected Road Rescue to build all three of its ambulances that currently are responding to calls. That company is known for its quality construction and customization to serve the needs of the medical providers and the community.”
The ambulance the department just received was a 2022 model. Was it delayed in getting to you because of recent supply-chain problems?
“Nearly five years have passed since the planning of the newest ambulance began. There was substantial delay due to the pandemic and related [computer] chip shortages that affected the availability of the Ford chassis upon which the ambulance is built. Other supply-chain issues contributed to the unusually long build-out process.”
What’s different about this latest ambulance?
“The layout inside of the new ambulance is significantly different from previous designs in ways that might not interest the public, but are exciting for our EMTs and paramedics. There is easier access to equipment and supplies, which is important when operating inside of a moving vehicle, as well as improved safety features.”
How will a third ambulance improve the department’s service to the public?
“In a life-or -limb-threatening emergency, minutes really do matter. A third ambulance – or as we like to say, ‘unit’ – will allow for more rapid response in the event of multiple simultaneous emergencies. It also allows for the addition of more highly trained paramedics into McLean and surrounding areas. The McLean Volunteer Fire Department is fortunate to have a large number of volunteer paramedics, and now more of them can go into service at the same time, often filling in at spots in the community that would not otherwise have a paramedic located as close.”
Roughly what percentage of service calls are for medical issues vs. fires? Do ambulances go out on every call?
“By far, the greatest percentage of calls are for medical emergencies. Estimates are roughly 85 percent. Although modern construction, including sprinkler systems, [has]reduced the number of fire calls compared to historic data, when there is a fire the county needs to be able to put a large number of highly trained personnel with the right equipment on the scene. Therefore, both the fire/rescue and medical sides of the department are important. The county matches the response to the needs of the emergency. Some calls do not require an ambulance.”
How significant is the ambulance’s Stryker Power-LOAD feature?
"The acquisition of the Stryker Power-LOAD cot system is a huge milestone and McLean has some of the first in the county. The advantage of the new cot system is that it mechanically performs much of the lifting of the patient and cot into and out of the ambulance. Up until now, our EMS providers have had to manually lift, load and unload patients on cots in and out of the ambulance all day long. The risk of injuries to our providers is high. These cots also provide increased safety for our patients."
What features does the department seek when selecting ambulances? Do they come in standard models or are all of them customized for purchasers?
“With the exception of the chassis, our ambulances are designed and built entirely from scratch down to the last screw. The features that we seek are too numerous to list here, but all are aimed at providing the best care in the safest environment for our patients and providers.”
