Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service are the first UK ambulance service to take delivery of two new front line emergency ambulances from European manufacturer Ambulanz-Mobile of Germany.
These two new vehicles are a direct replacement for the two oldest vehicles in the Ambulance & Rescue fleet which are now 11 years old. A cost saving of around £15000 per vehicle has been made in comparison with the cost of an equivalent UK produced ‘modular’ vehicle.
Chief Ambulance Officer Jon Beausire said, “Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service has a history of innovation and ‘firsts’ among ambulance services. With these new front line emergency ambulances, designed and built specifically for both our and our patients needs, we are continuing that trend and ensuring that we continue to provide the people of Guernsey with the best possible emergency treatment and care.”
Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service are the first UK ambulance service to take delivery of two new front line emergency ambulances from European manufacturer Ambulanz-Mobile of Germany – a family firm with a proven track record in providing emergency vehicles for the European and South American market.
Modern, safe and innovative in design the ‘Delfis’ is at the cutting edge of rescue ambulances. A van conversion based on the Mercedes Sprinter medium wheelbase chassis rather than the traditional ‘modular’ ambulance means that this emergency vehicle is more suited to the narrow, ‘granite lined’, Guernsey roads due to its slightly smaller size and improved turning circle.
Ambulanz – Mobile were keen to ‘break into’ the UK market but had not produced a right-hand drive vehicle. Assistant Senior Ambulance Officer Malcolm Mechem (no stranger to vehicle design having been part of the Brabham Formula One Racing Team in his past) visited their factory, south of Berlin, to assist with the re-design of the interior of the ‘Delfis’. Every piece of medical equipment was accurately weighed and measured and the process to redesign the interior of the vehicle to meet our specific requirements began.
Patient care, comfort and safety are paramount. The rear compartment is independently air conditioned with its own touch screen control panel. The aerodynamic roof interior provides increased headroom and an integral roof window gives an ‘open and airy’ feel. Interior strip lighting, spotlights, air conditioning, heating and overhead oxygen delivery are all controlled from the ceiling supply console providing improved patient care from above. The ambulance also has a specially designed heated drawer enabling fluids to be pre-warmed prior to use.
The ecological interior fittings are produced from recyclable ABS plastics. There are no gaps or grooves to allow dirt, germs or bacteria to gain a foot hold thereby significantly improving infection control. All of the fittings are ergonomically designed with no sharp edges reducing the risk of injury.
The ambulance has two side sliding doors, the passenger side providing immediate access to the rear compartment and the driver side accommodating a spinal board and ‘scoop’ stretcher. The two rear doors provide excellent all round access. The floor space can accommodate different types of stretcher set ups. Following staff consultation Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service have opted for a low stretcher tray with the new ‘Stryker Power Pro’ stretcher.
In order to increase clarity on the road, and safety as a result, the aerodynamic roof feature incorporates a ‘blue light’ system that increases visual perception by utilising high-performance LED lighting technology.
The vehicle and internal fittings have undergone extensive safety tests and inspections including ‘crash’ testing.
Due to the use of lightweight materials in the interior, the low power consumption and durable LED lighting technology; and the aerodynamic roof feature resulting in lower fuel consumption, the Delfis utilises energy input like no other vehicle in its class resulting in a highly efficient vehicle all round. All of these features make a contribution towards preserving our environment.
These two new vehicles are a direct replacement for the two oldest vehicles in the Ambulance & Rescue fleet which are now 11 years old. A cost saving of around £15000 per vehicle has been made in comparison with the cost of an equivalent UK produced ‘modular’ vehicle.
Chief Ambulance Officer Jon Beausire said, “Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service has a history of innovation and ‘firsts’ among ambulance services. With these new front line emergency ambulances, designed and built specifically for both our and our patients needs, we are continuing that trend and ensuring that we continue to provide the people of Guernsey with the best possible emergency treatment and care.”
Assistant Senior Ambulance Officer Malcolm Mechem added “This has been an amazing experience – taking into account all of the changes that we have made in changing the design from left hand drive to right hand drive and producing a bespoke interior in less than 10 months is a fantastic achievement. Hannes Holzke, Project Manager at Ambulanz-Mobile along with David Brophy and Grant Pearce of Kinetic Special Vehicles have produced a superb front line emergency ambulance.