By EMS1 Staff
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An investigation found that ambulances in Charlotte have been breaking down while responding to calls and transporting patients.
Medic maintenance records revealed that ambulances have had to be towed back to headquarters on several occasions because they could no longer be driven, with dozens of ambulances affected by engine-related issues with patients inside, according to WCNC.
“That is alarming,” Commissioner Jim Puckett said. “Anytime you have an ambulance that doesn’t make it to the hospital once they pick up a patient, that’s unacceptable.”
According to Medic, all of the ambulances with engine issues – which amount to 28 of the agency’s 64 rigs – had MaxxForce Engines made by Navistar, who is currently being sued in a class action lawsuit.
“If they were not replacing these engines as quickly as they could, then absolutely you get into the lawsuit,” Puckett said. “Nobody wants to have concerns over something like their ambulance fleet.”
Medic Deputy Director Jeff Keith added that Navistar has agreed to replace the engines for free.