Ambulance service welcomes new fleet
West Midlands Ambulance Service has taken delivery of the first batch of its new frontline ambulances, all of which are built around the Fiat Ducato Maxi van.
In total West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has ordered 101 Fiat Ducato vehicles for conversion as well as an additional two vehicles for driver-training unit conversions.
The conversion work from van to ambulance is being completed by O&H Vehicle Conversions, Goole, and takes approximately 400 man hours to complete. A special rear air suspension is fitted and the interior is kitted out with purpose-built cabinetry to accommodate the specialist, life-saving medical equipment, with approximately one mile of electrical wiring added to the vehicle to provide power to extensive range of crucial ancillary items.
The last five vehicles off the production line will trial solar panels on the roof to assist with battery charging
The ambulance service's 360-strong fleet of ambulances expected to cover a total of 15 million miles in 2015.
WMAS has been operating the Fiat Ducato in frontline ambulance operation for a number of years and by the time the last of the 101vehcles are delivered, two thirds of its entire ambulance fleet - 240 - will be Fiat Ducato based.
Tony Page, general manager of fleet services at the trust, said "The Ducato provides the Trust with platform to build a front line ambulance that provides a good working space for our clinical colleagues to deliver a high level of patient care, the three-litre diesel engine is more than capable of getting the vehicle and crew to serious incidents in a timely manner, good dealer support and fuel economy are also an important aspect of the Fiat Ducato's offering."
