More EMS History

[Jon]

Lets dig into the pages of history, late sixties. Of all the things people PM you about, I've been asked what my orange cross means. Does anyone take the time to learn about where EMS has gone, to get to where we've come?

The orange cross was the symbol of EMS, albeit only for a short time when EMS was born. Occasionally, you see it in old movies, or on periodically correct antique vehicles. I guess the Red Cross didn't like that idea.. and so we ended up with a blue star. I know what that means, but with out Google-ing it, does anyone else know what the Star.. of Life.. stands for? What each point of the star stands for? That's your homework.

Lets take the history lesson a little further. Anyone ever wonder why ambulances on federal installations are white with orange stripes? How about private ambulances in some states? all ambulances in some states?

Can anyone explain why?

 

[hpark11]

I think there's a biblical thing to it. The snake on the stick was some story bout how snakes were biting people and they were dying but if they looked at the snake on the stick, they got healed. Not too sure, it's just what I've heard

 

[akflightmedic]

Lets take the history lesson a little further. Anyone ever wonder why ambulances on federal installations are white with orange stripes? How about private ambulances in some states? all ambulances in some states?

Can anyone explain why?

Hmmm, the 2 ambos I just purchased are white with red stripes (Federal property) and on all the bases I lived they were always green.

 

[surname_levi]

Lets take the history lesson a little further. Anyone ever wonder why ambulances on federal installations are white with orange stripes? How about private ambulances in some states? all ambulances in some states?

Can anyone explain why?

i've been looking around. im only finding it was a specification given by the KKK (not the ku klux klan). but not finding if they had a specific reason it had to be orange. i give

 

[Jon]

i've been looking around. im only finding it was a specification given by the KKK (not the ku klux klan). but not finding if they had a specific reason it had to be orange. i give

Bingo.. the KKK-1822-X specs from the GSA are the de facto national standard. At least until the current version, they specified that an ambulance should be white with an "Omaha Orange" stripe.

Some states, Mississippi for one, still legislate that non-FD owned ambulances need to maintain that color scheme.

 

[JonTullos]

Some states, Mississippi for one, still legislate that non-FD owned ambulances need to maintain that color scheme.

Yes, yes we do. Of course, we're a dinosaur in the EMS world so what do you expect.

Personally I don't see anything wrong with it. To me it helps the trucks stand out.

 

[Barney_Fife]

There are worse states. A few have such off the wall standards, you wouldn't know that it's not 1973 anymore.

 

[mycrofft]

What was wrong with 1974??

More discussion on cadusceus vesus staff of Asclepius (sp?):
http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=14423

Before the mid Seventies' adoption of Chevy van conversions DOD wide, the services painted their ambo's in their respective service colors (Army green, Air Force blue, Navy very light gray or white). Also made anything they wanted into an "ambulance", including station wagons with almost no conversion at all.

Civilian ambo's were billboards for their companies, and the roof cap on some Caddy conversions had a lighted sign like a taxicab advertising their company.

Never saw an orange cross. Green cross was a trademark I think. White cross was a company whch made first aid supplies.