16 state of the art Rapid Response Vehicles

scholar007

Increased Investment in the HSE National Ambulance Service

Press Release 10th April 2011

"The HSE National Ambulance Service has taken delivery of a new fleet of 16 state of the art Rapid Response Vehicles representing an investment of approx €0.6 million in fleet replacement. The new fleet consists of 10 Ford Mondeo Estate cars, 3 Subaru Forester all wheel drive estate cars and 3 Harley Davidson Special Motorcycles.
Robert Morton, Director of the National Ambulance Service stated: “the new fleet will contribute to a significant step forward in the quality and safety of our services to patients and the safety of the working environment for our Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics”
All of these vehicles will be used as Rapid Response Vehicles in different parts of the country. Feedback from HSE Advanced Paramedics identified that some of the existing fleet needed improved equipment carrying capacity. The Ford Mondeo estate has that capacity.
Following the severe weather in 2010, the HSE reviewed its equipment requirements. That review identified that the HSE had sufficient numbers of traditional 4x4 vehicles providing sufficient capability for deep snow conditions.
The HSE considered various traction systems and each system considered would require significant expenditure on both equipment and training. The HSE bought Estate Vehicles with All Wheel Drive capacity to replace some existing vehicles. This provides 4x4 type capability in a vehicle that will be operated daily. The cost of the vehicles are similar to traditional 2 wheel drive Estate cars representing improvements in road safety in severe weather and off road conditions without any additional expenditure over and above normal fleet replacement.
As part of the NAS drive to improve road safety, the NAS has also taken delivery of three new purpose built Driver training Vehicles to support the national rollout of Driver training, initially for 180 new Student Paramedics.
The HSE will monitor the effectiveness of these vehicles based on staff feedback and fleet management processes. This review will inform future decisions on fleet replacement.
The NAS Leadership Team are currently considering a Fleet Allocation Plan based on the mileage, age and activity of current Rapid Response Vehicles. The new fleet will be operational at a number of Ambulance Stations around the country by the end of May 2011.”
Members of the public are welcome to arrange a visit to their nearest Ambulance Station to meet our Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics and see any new vehicles. Visits can be arranged by contacting the Operations Performance Manager at the nearest Area Ambulance Headquarters."

The above was on the HSE website http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/ambulanceservice/news/investment.html

Where did these cars go and are members of the public really welcome to visit an Ambo station and have a nose around?

stevie06

From what i hear 2 are coming to cork to allow for on call to be removed, one based in North cork and one based in the city.

i guess the others are being brought in to be placed in areas where A&E services are removed/downgraded and last but not least to renew the older RRV in the fleet already.

Cheers
Steve

CharlieCroker

I've seen the mondeos and harleys around south dublin, based in loughlinstown. Was in west Clare last week and saw one of the forresters on blues. Looked very impressive.

kub

The Ford Mondeo Estate FFS, The least they could have given the lads was the Volvos just like the RSUs.

Considering the speed etc travelling to incidents, I would think the Volvo estate is a lot more safer for the occupants.

I would bet anything if the vehicles were for the admin staff in the HSE, they would have been Volvos over Fords.

CharlieCroker

kub wrote: »

The Ford Mondeo Estate FFS, The least they could have given the lads was the Volvos just like the RSUs.

Considering the speed etc travelling to incidents, I would think the Volvo estate is a lot more safer for the occupants.

I would bet anything if the vehicles were for the admin staff in the HSE, they would have been Volvos over Fords.

Nothing wrong with the mondeo mate. Handling is far superior to any Volvo on the market

goldie fish

Doc in east cork is quite happy with the Volvo XC70. Whatever about the mondeo handling, a full estate, with high C of G will not be comfortable or secure at high speed. The Volvo has the edge here, being designed that way.

Zambia

Stolen from the YLYL Thread

The Volvo is class

kub

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the mondeo mate. Handling is far superior to any Volvo on the market

I reckon that if AGS had not been using these yolks as their main fleet vehicle for the last.......even when they were called Sierras.....then Cortinas and Escorts........Perhaps lads might have a different opinion on them.

Of course if the Mondeo estate is that good then how come the RSU lads have the Volvos.

Also as mentioned on another post here, one wonders what would have become of the RSU lads who were in collision with the wagon in Cork a few months ago if they were driving a Mondeo?

CharlieCroker

The RSU use XC70's because their 4wd, higher ride height and because they have updated and self-levelling rear suspension to deal with the weight of the gunsafe.

I never said that there was anything wrong with the Volvo but in my opinion (and it is just an opinion) the Mondeo is just as good as as the Volvo in most areas and better than it in some. Both are 5 star nCap safety rated which is all you can ask for.

The Volvo is a more prestigious marque and if it was my money for my private car I'd possibly spend the extra money on a volvo for the badge and spec but for a workhorse (which is what HSE vehicles are) the Mondeo does the job perfectly well