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EMS Magazine - Innovative Safety Measures

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The Star Phoenix - Ambulance really something to see

For motorists’ awareness, our High Visibility Emergency Decal Package uses prismatic decal materials, which are more effective than emergency lights in situations of limited visibility. Introduced in 2002, this customizable package consolidates the four factors of conspicuity which are fluorescence, color contrast, pattern and reflectivity, into one cohesive design. In addition, we have strategically placed reflectors and high visibility decals on the inside of the rear doors in order to heighten awareness that additional hazards are present when the doors are open and activity is imminent. We want you to be seen to be safe!

For the medics, we use safety-yellow components in our ambulances so their peripheral vision brings attention to potential obstructions. Yellow grab bars are standard in all of our vehicles, with the option of yellow doorway markings, running boards, and overhead door padding. Driver intention lights in the interior compartment immediately notify the medic of sudden vehicle movements, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

In 2000 we introduced our squad bench safety net. The materials, shape, stitching patterns and mounting mechanisms are designed to withstand extreme forces, and the mounting points are securely attached to incorporate the strength of the ambulance frame.

Our ergonomic portable oxygen system, 02 to Go, is a simple, low cost and effective solution to preventing medic injuries. Loading and unloading a large oxygen tank can be easily done via our secure ramp and tank carrier system.

Since 1984 we have been using thermoformed upholstery, which eliminates seams and minimizes bodily fluid contamination in the patient compartment.

For everyone from EMS management to EMS staff, Crestline’s AeroBody design is all-aluminum in construction, contributes significantly to fuel efficiency and combined with Crestline’s integrated roll cage structure, provides a robust vehicle body. Our AeroBody envelopes the only true roll cage in the industry!

These safety measures are regularly crash-tested in the real world (unfortunate, but a reality), and are second to none. A Paramedic from North East Mobile Health Services in South Portland, Maine says it best:

“You folks delivered 3 ambulances to us recently that were absolutely fabulous. Yesterday, after only approximately 1 week on the road, one of them was involved in a collision. The ambulance was struck from the rear by a large straight axle type commercial truck… I was quite impressed with how well the ambulance held up… I am grateful that the structural integrity of the ambulance held up so well. It quite possibly saved my 3 co-workers from being either seriously injured or even killed in the collision. Thank you.”

These highlight just a few of the numerous innovations in safety and design that Crestline Coach has focused on in order to maximize the safety of our medics working environment. As a company focused on research and development, we have provided the industry with plenty of truly innovative features to keep everyone safe. For more information, please visit www.crestlinecoach.com.

Crestline Coach is dedicated to R&D in the area of EMS vehicle safety.

"One of the initiatives we're working very hard on now is to expand our presence in the U.S.," says Crestline CEO Tim Morrow, who points to unique innovations that he hopes will give Crestline an edge in the massive and highly competitive U.S. market.

One such innovation is an aerodynamic ambulance body design created by the company. With its integrated roll-cage structure that improves patient and crew safety, this streamlined design also provides better handling and improves the vehicle's fuel economy.

Crestline's high-visibility graphics use bright, contrasting colours and reflective elements to help reduce emergency vehicle accidents by ensuring the ambulances are visible even in the most difficult weather conditions. "No one else is doing something like this," says Mr. Morrow. "That's something we're quite proud of."

As a custom ambulance manufacturer, Crestline must cater to a range of geographic, climatic and operational needs.

Because of the need for this level of flexibility, a higher level of skill in production employees is essential. "They're not just an assembly line," says Mr. Morrow. "They need to think creatively, to be able to make changes based on customer needs. We're fortunate to have those skills in the Saskatoon workforce." "You might think we were geographically challenged being landlocked in Saskatchewan and that it would be difficult for us to export products," Mr. Morrow says. "We find the contrary. We have a relatively low cost of overheads and competitive cost of labour. We can live where we want to live, and work where we want to work, enjoying the growth and progressiveness of a city like Saskatoon and the lifestyle that it offers."

Crestline Coach's aerodynamic ambulance body sports unique safety features inside and our, including high-visibility graphics that help ensure ambulances are visible even in the most difficult weather conditions.

Crestline Coach calls it the "High Vis" — short for high visibility — and it was inspired by research showing more people are seeing fewer ambulances.

"In the U.S., there's about 6,500 ambulance accidents a year and in those you get about 10 serious injuries a day and about 36 fatalities a year," said Crestline's research and development engineer Kyle Kmshelniski.

Crestline, which sells ambulances worldwide, believes if emergency vehicles are more conspicuous that such statistics would go down, allowing ambulances to get where they're going.

Krushelniski said he began by researching what it is that makes objects visible. Taking colour, patterns, psychology and art into consideration, Kiushelniski came up with the High Vis colour scheme after about a year,

"You can imagine this parked beside a white snowy landscape or against a bright sky. The white basically washes out," Krushelniski said pointing to a picture of a traditional white-coloured ambulance.

"Whereas this," Krushelniski said referring to his purple and yellow creation, "has the colours to be able to stand out against vehicles or nature or snow or sky."

What makes the High Vis just that is the "retroflective" decals its fluorescent and contrasting checkerboard pattern is composed of — about 10 times brighter than reflective jogging gear, Krushelniski said.

Krushelniski said Saskatchewan ambulance regulations currently do not allow deviations from the traditional ambulance colour scheme used since the 1970s.

"They require an eight-inch orange stripe down a white-sided vehicle and that's it," Krushelniski said, making them similar in ap¬pearance to delivery vans and recreation vehicles.

Increased visibility of ambulances is doubly important considering stereos and better insulation of newer consumer vehicles can drown out wailing sirens Krushelniski added.

But he said he doesn't expect Saskatchewan to change it's ambulance restrictions overnight. Instead, Krushelniski said the first step in get ting the design on the streets is convincing in dustry insiders at trade shows that the High Vis is simply a safer way to ride.

Though it's basically the same as regular am bulances on the inside, Krushelniski said the High Vis will sell for roughly $6,000 more, due the innovation on the outside.

"They're less likely to be in a accident," said Krushelniski on how he'll make the hard sell. "They're going to be able to get to their patients sooner and get them to a hospital quicker," he said, adding the High Vis will also be available in blue and orange.

Firm eyes prototype purple, yellow paint to help vehicles stand out on roads