By EMS1 Staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new $316,000 vehicle that can transport or provide care to 20 patients at the same time has been unveiled in Lexington, Ky.
“The addition of this vehicle greatly increases our ability to handle larger emergencies and disasters in Lexington and throughout the Bluegrass Region and around the state, for example a tornado or the evacuation of a hospital or a nursing home,” Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry said.
“It takes us to a new level of emergency care.”
The vehicle features a paramedic work station, a ramp to load and unload patients, the capacity to provide individual metered oxygen to up to 20 patients, a generator and suction units.
Fire Chief Robert Hendricks said the vehicle will be very useful during large fires. “It also enables us to provide efficient, effective care for a large group of patients at the same time, for example, to evacuate a hospital or nursing home,” he said.
Charlie O’Neal, assistant director at Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, said the new vehicle will significantly increase the area’s ability to save lives in the event of a catastrophic disaster or event.”