Fox Twp. Ambulance and firemen acquire new rescue vehicle
FOX TOWNSHIP - Fox Township Ambulance Service and Fox Township Firemen recently purchased a new side by side rescue vehicle to be used in places that would be inaccessible for an ambulance or a fire truck.
Act 10 COVID-19 Relief grant funds were available for EMS services, so the ambulance service purchased the unit itself, then partnered with the firemen to store it in the garage with the firetrucks.
Both entities will be able to use it, as it can be pulled on a trailer behind a firetruck. Proceeds from the Firemen’s Social Hall activities paid for two skid units that can be interchanged in the back of the side by side, making it useful for both organizations. One skid unit has a patient litter and a seat for an ambulance attendant, along with an IV pole and an oxygen tank for patient care and extraction out of wooded areas. The other skid unit has an 80-gallon water tank, pump, and hose for fighting smaller brush fires in areas that a firetruck can’t access. Each skid unit slides out and can be changed as the occasion warrants.
Kathy Dowie, president of the Fox Township Firemen and treasurer of the Fox Township Ambulance Association, commented that, “There has been a huge increase in people with outdoor recreation vehicles, ATV’s and even bicycles. We get more and more people coming here from urban areas, so obviously all of that adds to a greater need for something like this new side by side for rescue and fire situations.”
Scott Surra, Fox Township fire chief added, “It’s great to be prepared for anything,
but actually our hope is that it just sits here and collects dust!” Before
the purchase of the side by side and adaptive skids, neighboring rescue teams had to be summoned for some situations.
According to Off-Road Atlas, more and more manufacturers are developing side-by-sides that are equipped for fire and rescue. They come equipped with emergency light bars and sirens and are making a huge difference in response time and lives saved.