79-10
Paramedic Chase (RETIRED)
A 1999 Ford Expedition, 79-10 served Smithsburg and the surrounding areas as our primary advanced life support (ALS) chase vehicle. EMS companies in neighboring Frederick County, MD and Franklin County, PA do not operate advanced life support equipped ambulances like we do. When those companies respond to a call with their ambulance, a crew of two EMTs responds to handle basic emergencies. When a patient is having a more serious emergency, like a respiratory problem, cardiac problem or severe injury, an advanced life support provider – a medic or paramedic – will respond in a chase vehicle with his or her ALS equipment.
79-20
Paramedic Chase
When our 1999 Ford Expedition was placed out of service, our 2001 Ford Excursion went from a back-up ALS chase vehicle to the primary ALS chase vehicle. 79-20 is used primarily by the on-duty ALS provider (medic or paramedic). Just like our ALS equipped ambulances, 79-20 carries a full compliment of advanced life support equipment. Essentially the only difference between our ALS ambulances and our ALS chase vehicles is this – an ALS chase vehicle costs less than an ambulance and can arrive at an emergency faster than an ambulance. Our ALS chase vehicles can transport patients from remote areas where an ambulance may not be able to reach. Once out of the remote area and back to a hard road, our ambulance will transport the patient the rest of the way to a hospital.
79-1
Paramedic Ambulance
A 2006 Horton ambulance on a Ford E-series chassis, this vehicle is the newest in our fleet and was placed into service on June 12, 2007. Containing the latest emergency equipment and technology, 79-1 was built to keep our patients and providers even more safe. Like all SEMS ambulances 79-1 is advanced life support equipped, meaning that is carries advanced life saving equipment used by medics and paramedics. An advanced life support ambulance is essentially a mobile intensive care unit.
79-2
Paramedic Ambulance
Also a Horton ambulance, 79-2 was built on a 2001 Freightliner chassis and was placed in service in 2002. The Freightliner’s tight turning radius aids our crews when navigating back roads and tight driveways with little turnaround space. 79-2 recently underwent an upgrade to the original scene lighting and emergency lighting to reduce strain on the electrical system and to also make the unit safer and more visible when parked in the roadway at the scene of vehicle collisions. Like all SEMS ambulances, 79-2 is advanced life support equipped.
79-3
Paramedic Ambulance
The first Horton ambulance to come to Smithsburg, 79-3 is a 1999 Horton on a Ford E-series chassis. Primarily used as a reserve / back-up ambulance, 79-3 is the oldest ambulance in our fleet and also has the highest miles. But thanks to continued preventative maintenance and the pride our volunteers have in their station and fleet, 79-3 is expected to last several more years before needing to be replaced. Delaying the replacement of 79-3 has allowed us to focus on repairing the original roof on our station, which is over 20 years old, along with other capital improvement projects. Like all SEMS ambulances, 79-3 is advanced life support equipped.
79-7
BLS Support
Our 1999 Jeep Cherokee is used primarily by the on-duty volunteer EMT. 79-7 is used as a support unit and carries basic life support equipment, including an AED (automated external defibrillator).