Manitoba Health

Manitoba's Ambulance Fleet

Provincial Fleet Ambulance Program Replacement Complete The Manitoba government has completed the replacement of fleet ambulances across the province. The fleet was replaced over a period of five years, with 60 ambulances purchased in 2001 and 80 more purchased between 2002 and 2005. The current fleet ambulance program was developed in 2001 to provide the safest-possible fleet of ambulances by introducing ambulance standards and reducing purchase and vehicle operation costs. View the June 19, 2006 News Release here

Management of the Provincial ambulance fleet is done by the Vehicle and Equipment Management Agency (VEMA) a Special Operating Agency of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation. Operating costs for the managed fleet, including fuel, maintenance and repairs will be provided by Manitoba Health.

The next generation of Provincial Fleet ambulance units selected was the Crestline Coach "Fleetmax".  The ambulance vehicle was selected through a tendering process based on specifications developed by joint committee of the Regional EMS Directors, VEMA and Manitoba Health.  Primary considerations in the design specifications were to ensure a vehicle capable of meeting the needs of Manitoba’s developing Regional EMS System, while showing innovation in enhancing patient, paramedic and passenger safety.

The Fleetmax ambulance vehicle design by Crestline Coach incorporates many of their existing engineering innovations, in an intermediate size range.  This ambulance vehicle design meets or exceeds the Province of Manitoba’s ambulance specification.

Safety Innovations

Safety innovations featured in this ambulance vehicle design include enhanced vehicle conspicuity through changes to the decaling product and design, through upgraded enhanced emergency response lighting notification and the addition of a rear backup camera.

An additional safety innovation is the Provincial Automatic Vehicle Location system (AVL) which will be active in all Provincial ambulance units.

Lighting

All exterior emergency notification lighting and interior lighting is Light Emitting Diode (LED).  This upgrade in the lighting quality and intensity will enhance the exterior lighting for the ambulance unit’s ability for emergency response notification to traffic at a longer distance.  The LED lighting upgrade will also enhance the interior lighting quality and intensity.  An additional benefit of this LED lighting system design and upgrade is it will significantly reduced electrical draw.

Restraint Enhancements

Safety netting has been installed at the forward end of the paramedic squad bench as a passive restraint system to ensure that personnel are not projected into the bulkhead in a sudden deceleration.  Other noted safety restraint enhancements include a 3-point seatbelt harness system added to the paramedic bench seat and the “captains” seat at the head end of the stretcher.    Upholstery in the rear of the vehicle is all seamless, vacuum formed vinyl to minimize pathogen transmission.

Patient compartment design

Ample equipment storage space is provided in a number of compartments with both internal and external access.  Space in cabinets is provided for several backboards, an orthopedic stretcher, stair chair, and other bulky items.  In addition, specialized storage is provided for heavy tools and equipment, heated internal locked medications cabinet, a defibrillator shelf and a kit tree located conveniently to the rear door.    A new ducted HVAC system will enhance patient and paramedic comfort and air quality.

The newly re-designed oxygen storage compartment has internal and external access while incorporating the use of a lighter weight aluminum oxygen cylinder system to assist in mitigating back injuries.

Provincial Ambulance Fleet – “Sprinter” program

In the fall of 2008, the Province of Manitoba embarked on a program for a potential second type of ambulance unit to be added to the fleet.  The program was to use a group of primary requirements that were to be met with a new ambulance design.  The Province purchased four (4) 2009 Sprinter chassied ambulance type 2 units and is in the process of reviewing and analyzing data from this on-going program.  

A number of ambulance prototype design components that were included in the Sprinter ambulance unit have been incorporated into the next generation of Manitoba ambulance units.  These design components include enhanced safety through conspicuity and lighting changes as well as re-designing the on-board oxygen component, on-board suctioning component and other features that will increase the safety and functionality of the ambulance unit.