THE trail of all-wheel-drive ambulance is underway in the region.
Being run by Ambulance Victoria, the tests will see Mildura paramedics use the new all-wheel-drive vehicle, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter, for emergency callouts.
It’s looks the same as a regular stretcher carrying ambulance, but is about 10cm higher in the body and also has the letters AWD below the fleet number.
“The new vehicle will be used for all normal on-road emergency case responses, but also on a greater range of road conditions without sustaining any vehicle damage,” said Ambulance Victoria Acting Team Manager Jessica Johnson.
“This might include rough trails, driveways, private roads or farmland, as well as some complex locations that a two-wheel drive ambulance would not be able to access.
“It is not a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but rather an all-wheel-drive, making it accessible to all AV paramedics as 4WD training is not needed.”
With the ambulance sitting about 10cm higher than a regular Sprinter, Ms Johnson said the new van had some alterations to make it accessible.
“Modifications have been made to ensure paramedics and our patients can safely enter and exit the ambulance,” she said.
“The vehicle is equipped with electric slide out steps on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle, as well as a manual fold out step at the sliding door of the vehicle.”
As part of the on, and off, road testing the new ambulance would be optional for paramedic crews.
“We will be using the AWD vehicle alongside our regular fleet, so crews can choose to use the vehicle for their shift, they can swap into the vehicle for a case or request a second crew to bring the vehicle to them,” Ms Johnson said.
The local all-wheel-drive ambulance is one of two being tested in Victoria with a second located in Belgrave.
