Ambulance Service An ambulance is a vehicular unit used to transport emergency medical services patients. There are more than 12, 000 ambulance services in the United States. Those services operate more than 23,000 ground ambulance vehicles and employ nearly 840,000 emergency medical services personnel. Medics, the First Responders Medics are employed by various types of ambulance services including private (for-profit and non-profit), hospital-based, volunteer, government-owned and fire department-based organizations. Over two-thirds of the nation's largest 200 cities are served by non-fire-based emergency ambulance services. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are the two types of medics who respond to health emergencies and disasters. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are trained to deliver basic life support services and provide first aid, oxygen administration, application of splints and bandages and perform CPR. Paramedics are trained to deliver advanced life support services and provide intravenous therapy, airway management, cardiac monitoring and defibrillation, medications and other advanced medical care. The role of the emergency medical services team and ambulance during a disaster or public health emergency includes patient triage, decontamination, treatment, transport and disaster shelter staffing. Ambulance History More than 100 years ago, in 1904, W. C. Lyons, an immigrant from Nova Scotia, who operated livery stables from his home in Danvers, Massachusetts, purchased an ambulance coach after being injured in a trolley accident. He realized the need for such service, primitive as it was. His sons eventually joined the business, and as cars took the place of horse transportation, a garage replaced the livery stables. Back then, a trip in the ambulance consisted of a bumpy ride, with a minimally trained staff. Ambulance staffers were only required to have the ability to drive and lift. Today, with more than 23,000 ambulances on the roads, times have definitely changed. Ambulance service has evolved from a horse and wagon operation, to a high-tech, fast-moving comfortable ride, staffed with trained, competent emergency medical services providers. Buying an Ambulance If you're in the market for an ambulance, there are a huge variety of options, styles and types. New Rigs A number of companies sell new rigs that come equipped with everything necessary to respond effectively to an emergency. New ambulances are available in a variety of body lengths and heights. Some come as a two-door vehicle, some are extended cab and some are four-door. Remounts If a new rig is out of your price range, it makes sense to consider a remount. Today's durable emergency vehicles are designed to far outlive the useful life of their chassis, many have a 15-year or greater life expectancy and modular body warranty. Purchasing a remounted rig may save you as much as 50 percent. A number of companies offer remount and refurbishing services. These vehicles are transformed to like-new condition on a current model-year chassis. Conversions It's also possible to convert any type of SUV into a cost-effective unit. There are a number of stock or custom packages available for turning a Suburban, Tahoe, Blazer, Trailblazer, Yukon, Excursion, Expedition, Explorer, Durango or Jeep into an ambulance or other rescue vehicle. Cost A new ambulance can cost more than $85,000. Fully stocked, an ambulance can cost $125,000. It costs more than $350,000 a year to staff and maintain one ambulance. By Margaret Evans            Related Links: American Ambulance Association Includes information about this society that promotes health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provides research, education and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve.

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