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Selecting the Right Emergency Vehicle Equipment for You
Selecting the Right Emergency Vehicle Equipment for You
Emergency situations are sporadic and unplanned. The functionality of emergency vehicles differentiates from other types of vehicles. Emergency vehicles are fitted with special tools in order to facilitate a rapid emergency response. We cannot downplay the importance of emergency vehicle equipment because emergencies are life or death situations.
Emergency vehicle equipment can be categorized into police/ law enforcement, security fire and rescue, medical, and public utility vehicles.
Police, Law Enforcement, and Security vehicles: These include police cars, bomb disposal vehicles, police motorcycles and bicycles, SWAT, as well as armored vehicles. They respond to crime scenes and criminally charged acts. These vehicles must be fitted with communication systems, such as two-way radios, visual effects, such as light bars and revolving lights, cameras, push bumpers and sirens.
Fire and rescue vehicles: Fire trucks, search and rescue vehicles, lifeguard vehicles, and vehicles containing hazardous materials are categorized here. These vehicles respond to fires, rescue missions for collapsed buildings, and emergencies where hazardous material is involved. The emergency vehicle equipment that is required includes sirens, red light bars, side lights, flashlights, ladders, hose ramps and slings, fire extinguishers, pumps, nozzles and other waterway equipment and rescue/ crash kits. Hoses and ladders are fitted to the vehicles’ bodies.
Medical emergency vehicles: Ambulances and rapid response cars respond to medical emergencies. They must be fitted with sirens, red lights at the top of the vehicle, ventilation, airway equipment, monitoring equipment, defibrillators, immobilization, cutting equipment and communication devices. This list is not thorough, and therefore ambulance operators should research and ensure that their ambulances are fitted with appropriate equipment.
Civil utility vehicles: These vehicles are used to repair defective gas, electricity or water equipment in public and residential areas. They must be fitted with fire equipment, cabinets for transporting, storing replacements, and tools.
As previously stated, it is recommended to research the proper emergency vehicle equipment for your needs.