Contact: W. Keith Simon, VP, PR & Marketing, 1.800.259.3333; ksimon@acadian.com
LAFAYETTE, La. — Acadian Ambulance unveiled the first change in ambulance design in over 30 years at a press conference Thursday. Always a leader in EMS innovation, that same ability and commitment is being applied to their ambulance units. Acadian hopes to lead the way in innovative adjustments with the Dodge Sprinter, an emergency vehicle commonly used in Europe.
According to Vice President of Fleet Maintenance Bill Vidacovich, the Sprinter will yield almost twice the mileage of other ambulances. Currently, the Acadian fleet gets 9 mpg while the result of the new unit is 15 mpg. “e have 264 modular units in our service area, and expect to have 51 Sprinter ambulances in our fleet by the end of the year. While we travel just over 20 million miles annually transporting patients, this will give us a cost savings of $364,000 in fuel alone,"Vidacovich said.
While the nation faces rising health care costs, everyone feels the affect. Healthcare companies have been forced to reduce their services, raise their prices, or cut staff. Unfortunately, the consumer, the patient, always feels the greatest affect. Due to the fluctuating increase in fuel costs, many services have assessed a fuel charge, to recoup their losses, but this is not allowed in Medicare cases. Of all Acadian transports, about 40 percent are Medicare patients.
“We are determined that the rising costs in health care will not generate consequences for the residents of our service area,"said CEO & Chairman Richard Zuschlag. “While the nation is experiencing soaring health care costs, Acadian is being proactive in finding ways to reduce costs while maintaining the level of excellent care to which we are committed.”
Along with the new sprinter unit is a new design intended to improve safety with reflective deals that increase visibility for motorists. “The new gold and green stripes command attention on the road, and are virtually impossible to miss at night,” says Vice President of Fleet Maintenance Bill Vidacovich. “Our medics are giving us tremendous feedback on the new design and we are open to their suggestions to improve the design on future models.”
Medics testing the new unit found the handling of the Dodge Sprinter surprisingly agile, making it drive more like a smaller car, giving patients a more comfortable transport. Shaped more like a passenger van than a truck, the Sprinter is more lightweight than traditional ambulances. A new and extra feature is the super LED exterior warning light and light bar for maximum exterior visibility during emergencies. hey also feel that safety isn’t compromised with the smaller unit since the Dodge Sprinter comes equipped with antilock brakes, dual airbags, stability control, and an emergency window.
Lafayette Paramedic Supervisor Greg Leblanc has been following the crew working on the new sprinter ambulance for the last four months. “It handles better than older ambulances, making it easier to maneuver,” said Leblanc. “The patient cabin has more headroom, but is stocked with the same medical care equipment as the larger ambulance. The biggest advantage to our patients is a more comfortable ride,” he said.
It was also announced that Acadian made the list of companies on Inc. magazine’s Top 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. Acadian was also ranked number 50 in Top 100 Inc. 5,000 Companies by Employees. In all, Acadian was one of only four ambulance services to make the list, one of three companies in Lafayette and one of 36 listed in Louisiana.
“To be included in this prestigious list for the third consecutive year is a great honor,” said Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag. “This significant achievement is made possible by the dedication and commitment our team across all service lines has demonstrated by providing excellent customer service. It supports Acadian’s stability as a company and commends the efforts of our employee-owners.”
While the company’s history is rooted in ground and air ambulance service, Acadian credits several other subsidiary divisions for much of its continued success and diversity. The company’s expanded products and service lines, known as The Acadian Companies, are National EMS Academy, Safety Management Systems, Acadian Monitoring Services, Executive Air Charter Services, Acadian Ambulance Service.
As a result of sustained growth in existing markets, and consistent expansion into new business lines and geographic markets, total operating revenue for the Acadian Companies has increased to more than $274 million, up $37 million from last year, with a median three-year growth rate of 53%. The employees necessary to sustain this growth rate have also increased over the same period. Today there are over 2,450 full time and 387 part-time employees, an increase of 200 since last year, with a median three-year growth rate of 42%. Zuschlag thinks Acadian, like other companies on the list, is the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the economy.
Recent expansions have included ground ambulance service in the East Texas areas of Austin and San Antonio. Acadian Monitoring Service expanded its service to Baton Rouge, LA and most recently to Chicago, IL.
“It is also exciting that over 24,000 memberships have been renewed with less than two weeks remaining in our annual membership campaign,” Zuschlag said. “This is our 39th campaign, and it is gratifying that so many of those enrolling this year have been members since our company was organized in 1971. We are very optimistic about meeting our goal of 35,000 memberships by the close of the campaign at midnight on Friday, September 4th,” he said.
According to Zuschlag, 65 percent of the current members are 62 years of age or older and have Medicare coverage. “Each campaign has shown that many people consider enrollment a good community investment,” he said. “Without the adjustments we are making with our fleet and fuel budget, we would be forced to alter services such as standing by without charge at fairs, festivals and football games – a service supported by the annual membership campaign.
“We will be present at between 120 and 150 high school and college football games each week this season and hundreds of fairs and festivals throughout the year in case an emergency occurs. Reducing fuel costs and maintaining a healthy membership will allow the program to continue.”
Persons having questions may call Acadian’s Members Service Center toll-free at 1-800-256-JOIN (5646).