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05/28/2008 ]
New
Berlin EMS Unit Placed In Service
The
Berlin Area Ambulance Association is proud to announce the newest member of the
fleet. The new unit, designated as Tactical 528, is a 2008 Polaris Ranger
XP700 fitted with a Kimtek Medlite transport body. Berlin EMS board
members suggested the idea in early 2008, which led to many hours of research
into the feasibility of such a unit by Ambulance Captain Kris Wyant. After
testing numerous UTVs, the Polaris Ranger was purchased from Highland Harley
Davidson in Somerset, PA.
The
Ranger came outfitted with a 40hp 700 twin EFI engine, four wheel drive,
steel cab, and warn winch. The unit was further accessorized with a second
battery, deluxe wide rear-view mirror, motorized windshield wipers, Whelen LED
lighting package, work lights, and interior dome light. The graphics,
which feature 3M reflective panels and gold leaf striping, were custom designed
by Berlin Paramedic Seth Forry and created by Cornell Graphics of Berlin.
The rescue body was ordered from the Kimtek Corporation in Westmore, Vt.
The drop in unit has seating for one attendant and can hold one full size stokes
basket. A slide-out tray also provides additional storage for EMS supplies
in the box. Future additions include ITP SS108 series machined wheels, a
mobile radio, siren, cab heater, and canopy for over the rear bed.
The
Berlin Fire Department also embraced the project and made a monetary
contribution towards the purchase of the Ranger and an aluminum trailer to haul
the unit to calls. When dispatched, the unit will be towed by the fire
department to the scene using either Squad 628-10 or Brush 628-7. Since
the Ranger became a joint project, it was assigned the number 528 to recognize
the efforts of both stations.
Although
the unit was just officially placed in service it has already proven it can
handle the job, as it was used heavily during the spring forest fires in
Fairhope to transport firefighters through the rough mountainous terrain.
The unit will be used in the future to assist the EMS crews with physical
rescues and other related calls where patient access would otherwise be
hindered. The Ranger will also be utilized by standby crews during
sporting events and other community gatherings. The fire department plans
on purchasing equipment to retrofit the drop-in unit for brush firefighting
applications. The unit will also be available for mutual aid assist calls
and will be dispatched through Somerset County 911.
Berlin
Area Ambulance would like to thank the community members and the fire department
for their continued support. Berlin EMS strives to be a leader when it
comes to apparatus and technology, so that it can offer the best possible
services to the people we serve.
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