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Emergency line-up

8th September 1994
Page 40
Page 40, 8th September 1994 — Emergency line-up
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

BBC TV's Paramedic series gives a good glimpse into the working life of one of Britain's ambulance services but the recent Ambex '94 exhibition at Harrogate showed it as a multi-million-pound business. It's also fragmented in terms of accident and emergency vehicle specification and buying patterns. If the authorities were ever to agree on a definitive front-line ambulance spec they would get more for their money.

The UK parc of about 6,000 is changed every six to seven years so the saving would be well worth the effort.

Contract hirers such as Ryder have already broken into the buying circle and are leasing them to penny-conscious brigades. Fraikin aims to follow suit.

In England there are 40 separate authorities and each has its own ideas on the right vehicle for the job. TV star Northumbria, for example, prefers US-built Wheeled Coach ambies with their 15-year body warranties on GMC Chevrolet chassis. It has six and has ordered 16 more. East Anglia wants 24 paramedic versions too.

Meanwhile, London is happy with home-built models and has bought £4m-worth of LDV 400s equipped with Customline bodywork.

Wales has county brigades and Northern Ireland has four health boards. Sensible Scotland, however, is a single authority which allows it to make economies of scale in its buying of emergency vehicles.

However you look at it there's selling potential and overseas vehicle manufacturers from the US, Canada and France are lining up for a share.

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Locations: London

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