For me,I prefer the Type III (box type). Sure all ambulances are top heavy,but with the Type III U have more head room,as compared to the Type II (van type),where you have to almost bend over just to work inside of it. I've ridden and driven both types and I am not impressed with the type II. Type II ambulances may be thinner and easier to get into tight spaces,but when you are working on a full-arrest patient,you need every ounce of space to work with. I also dont mind the medium-duty style of ambulance,I like the size and they are intimidating as hell and offer a little bit more room than the Type III,they are more or less preferred by paramedic services. If I had my own service,I would want at least one medium-duty unit in my fleet.
Which Type Of Ambulance Do You Prefer To Work In?
- Thread starter mfrjason
- Start date
- 5,530
- 406
- 83
I'd much rather work in a Type III, while I know many people I work in would rather have a Type II. I like the additional space, both for me and the patient.
Our Type IIs have more room up front and are much more responsive. I'd still take a Type II, and our service is now transitioning to an all Type III fleet.
Our Type IIs have more room up front and are much more responsive. I'd still take a Type II, and our service is now transitioning to an all Type III fleet.
Ridryder911
EMS Guru
- 5,923
- 40
- 48
Wow!.. I haven't seen a van type in years, except for non-emergency services. I used to work in them for years and they durable and easy to drive; but horrible to work with ALS care.
R/r 911
R/r 911
fm_emt
Useless without caffeine
- 1,119
- 107
- 63
That's almost all you'll see around here (Type II) - there are a handful of Type III units rolling around. We have one, and it's my favorite.
I just wish it had some cupholders!
Ridryder911
EMS Guru
- 5,923
- 40
- 48
LOL ... Cup-holders is one of the first thing the boss specs... after hearing from the crews. Our new trucks have holders in the console that hold cups and our portable radios (talkies).. I guess he rather see us without stains...LOL The other nice thing they finally placed in them was CD players.. most of us have Mp3 we place in them ... makes road trips nicer.
R/r 911
R/r 911
KEVD18
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,165
- 10
- 0
my paid service uses almost entirely vans als and bls. my vollies has a medium duty(what i will always refer to as a heavy rescue). i like the van for that service area(boston) but totally understand my my medics hate them the heavy is just freakin awesome. i dont have enough equipment to fill it!!!!
my only issue is my paid service has a policy that every truck hit 325,000 to 350,000 miles before its retired, unless a catastrophic situation prevents that. this means we have a few trucks that are several years old with 300+ on em. the rattle, leak when it trains. nothing works anymore. have to jump em every day. it gets ridiculous.
my only issue is my paid service has a policy that every truck hit 325,000 to 350,000 miles before its retired, unless a catastrophic situation prevents that. this means we have a few trucks that are several years old with 300+ on em. the rattle, leak when it trains. nothing works anymore. have to jump em every day. it gets ridiculous.
fm_emt
Useless without caffeine
- 1,119
- 107
- 63
Our older type III has an AM/FM stereo. I think that CD players would just wind up broken after a while. Those iPod -> FM transmitters work pretty good most of the time, though.
I'm pondering bringing a Sirius satellite radio unit with me for some of the long transports.
Right now we have a milk crate between the seats that holds our maps & other important books and stuff.
Tincanfireman
Airfield Operations
- 1,054
- 1
- 0
Where would we be without our beloved milk crates!
FireStrut
Forum Crew Member
- 52
- 0
- 0
I would have to go with the type III. Alot more room and easier to work on the patient.
fm_emt
Useless without caffeine
- 1,119
- 107
- 63
Why would it be foolish? We have one for every day use and another new one that we use for neonatal transports only. It works great.
Otherwise the daily driver gets used on BLS calls. I like it. It has character. ;-)
Well, i suppose it depends on what type of service you are in. I do mostly transports(the only thing that keeps private servicves going), and for those it seems silly to spend the money to buy, fuel, and maintain a type III. For BLS tansfers, a Van is quite sufficient....in my humble opinion. Although dont get me wrong, I never turn down an opportunity to take out a III.
Airwaygoddess
Forum Deputy Chief
- 1,924
- 3
- 0
Thank God for only being 5"3" at least I can stand up in a type 2!
wolfwyndd
Forum Captain
- 331
- 0
- 0
The squad I run with has two ambulances, one is a freightliner chassis with a box on the back (no idea if that's a type 1,2, or 3) and the other is a Ford van chassis with a box on the back. Personally, for DRIVING I like the freightliner better. Even though it's bigger I find it easier to drive. However, the ride in the back of the Freightliner sucks. The Ford van I don't like driving because the box is wider then the cab so I find it more difficult to tell where the cab ends and the box begins. I've ALMOST sideswipped a few trees getting into driveways or the bay. On the other hand the ride in the back rocks. It's so smooth you can barely tell if you're moving.
Tincanfireman
Airfield Operations
- 1,054
- 1
- 0
I like Type III's better than the vans, but if the guy who signs my paycheck decides that I'll like vans better, who am I to argue?
fm_emt
Useless without caffeine
- 1,119
- 107
- 63
Thank God for only being 5"3" at least I can stand up in a type 2!
You could stand up in a VW Bug!!
KEVD18
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,165
- 10
- 0
type 1: regular truck/van chassis with a box. only a window between the cab and box(if that)
type 2: van, converted into a bambulance. passthrough big enough for a person
type 3: truck/van chassis with a box and full size passthrough
med duty: the mother of all ambulances. heavy duty/commercial chassis. big and beautiful