Freeman Unveils Ambulances
Freeman Ambulance Service unveiled two new ambulances on Tuesday.
The two ambulances are manufactured by Braun Custom Ambulances, are four-wheel drive and equipped with LiquidSpring suspensions, which provide smoother rides on rough, rural roads, according to information from Freeman.
“This equipment is designed for what we do here in McDonald County,” said Mike Ross, director of Freeman Ambulance Service. “We wear trucks out pretty quickly working in a rural area.”
The new ambulances are also designed to be safer for attendants, the press release states. Custom seating and cabinets enable paramedics to treat patients and reach supplies without unbuckling their seat belts.
Ross said the restraint systems for attendants are full harnesses instead of lap belts.
“There is about every type of terrain you can imagine. We get several calls on the river during the summer. The four-wheel drive will give us more confidence to get in and out,” he said. “I’m delighted we could upgrade our equipment and make it a little easier and safer on employees.”
He said the ambulances cost $180,000 apiece before medical
equipment. The medical equipment cost $50,000 to $75,000. He said an equipped ambulance could easily run $230,000.
Paula Baker, president and chief executive officer of Freeman, said, “We’re delighted with the two new ambulances. This is going to be such an important thing for the people of McDonald County. We are very excited to have these new ambulances. They are very cutting edge.”
She said Freeman has two ambulances in McDonald County — one stationed in Anderson, the other in Noel. The two that are being replaced will be held in reserve in Anderson. The ones being replaced have more than 200,000 miles each.
Baker said the older ambulances are approaching the end of their lives, so Freeman wanted to upgrade to the new safety features for patients and staff.
“The industry as a whole has been implementing different safety features,” Ross noted. He said the new ambulances have a cot restraint system that will ensure greater safety for patients.
Paramedic Ryan Drake said the ambulances are going to be “an asset to the county for the people that live here and the people that visit here. We’ve got quite a bit of tourist activity. They’re going to make it safer for the crew and the patients.”
“We’re delighted with the two new ambulances. This is going to be such an important thing for the people of McDonald County. We are very excited to have these new ambulances. They are very cutting edge.”
Paula Baker President and chief executive officer of Freeman