New Frontenac Ambulances Roll Out

Photo: The new Frontenac ambulance (on the left), alongside the old. 

Frontenac Paramedic Services’ (FPS) new, highly visible, ambulances began rolling out with the first vehicle out for its first shift on Monday, January 9. This ambulance, which sports a new yellow and blue pattern, was added to the fleet in December. A committee of paramedic and management staff worked with a consultant to produce an exterior design based on high visibility and easy recognition.

“The new ambulance is a testament to the County’s commitment to a job well done. The County saw an opportunity to take an extra step that will positively impact the visibility and safety of our paramedics and the people they help,” says County of Frontenac Warden Janet Gutowski.

“It is so important that our ambulances be extremely visible day and night, while traveling and while stopped at the scene of an accident. An ambulance that is easily seen attracts attention and alerts drivers of the need to slow down and give the vehicle as much room as possible,” says Paul Charbonneau, Director of Emergency and Transportation Services/Chief of Paramedic Services.

Regarding the appearance of ambulances, the Ontario Provincial Land Ambulance and Emergency Response Vehicle Standard states “the design shall promote the safety of the occupants of the ambulance and other motorists or bystanders by enhancing the visibility of the ambulance”. The standard states that exterior ambulance identification signage must achieve maximum conspicuity, but dictates only that the word “Ambulance” must appear on all four sides of the vehicle. This redesign of the exterior of the ambulance vehicles by the County is supported by a considerable body of research and reflects the direction many other jurisdictions are moving toward throughout Europe and Australia.