High tech to the rescue

Written by Kurt Madar, The Triplicate June 17, 2009 09:08 am

Ambulance fleet adds new vehicles with state-of-the-art life-saving tools

Del Norte Ambulance Service CEO Ron Sandler shows state-of-the-art equipment that comes with two new ambulances. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Shiny and with newer technology, two new ambulances are cruising the Crescent City streets.

Del Norte Ambulance Service just added two new ambulances that can treat a larger range of medical problems than most other services in California.

“In California there is no one doing more than we’re doing,” said CEO Ron Sandler. “Even in L.A. their ambulances aren’t equipped to do as much as ours.”

The two Chevrolet Leader ambulances are definitely state of the art.

The interior is designed to hold up to three patients, and no expense was spared on keeping the equipment up-to- date.

Compartments are packed with life-saving supplies such as a secondary fold-up bed that attaches near the ceiling and $25,000 EKG monitors the size of a car battery.

“Sutter Coast Hospital is paying to upgrade our monitors from three leads, which they are now, to twelve,” Sandler said. “An example of the difference is that with more leads you can actually tell between different types of heart attacks, which is important for choosing the right response.”

The upgrade costs $10,000.

Along with state-of-the-art Zoll defibrillators and the latest airway monitoring equipment, the ambulance service has added a new gadget for giving injections that makes the two new ambulances relatively unique in California.

The E-Z I-O looks like a small power drill, and allows paramedics to inject medications in situations where a normal I.V. could not be placed.

“Essentially you drill into the flat spot of bone right below and to the inside of the knee,” Sandler said. “They say that it doesn’t hurt anymore than getting a normal I.V.”

Sandler laughed while holding the intimidating device.

“Not sure if I would want it done to me though,” Sandler joked.

The ambulance crews had nothing but admiration for the vehicles.

Paramedics enjoy a brief break before responding to calls Tuesday. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

“We’re really excited,” said shift supervisor Brandon Johnson. “No one’s fighting over who gets to drive them though.”

Johnson said that the new ambulances have created some buzz in the community over the last two weeks they have been in service.

“People think they look pretty slick,” Johnson said.

It’s good that they do.

The new ambulances didn’t come cheap.

According to Sandler, the vehicles are $75,000 stripped, and once all the equipment is added the price rises to almost $130,000.

Talking about the price Sandler said “it’s really important that we have the best equipment.”

“We are committed to giving the best service that we can,” Sandler said. “Whether you have a stubbed toe, heart attack or respiratory problems, we want to be able to provide the best care possible.”