Ambulance + Tank ='s a new generation of emergency vehicle technology

author: Anthony   

Gandhi worked as an ambulance corpsman during the Anglo-Boer War between the years 1899 – 1902. That seems like a long time ago. In reality, not much has changed in terms of ambulance service since that bygone era. Have emergency vehicles really "evolved" in comparison to other types of vehicles? This is a salient question in need of further introspection. Our society depends on these vehicles to be at their best, performing optimally, when the situation arises. Usually we just take it for granted that ambulances are virtually indestructible. How often do you really think about the condition of an emergency vehicle? It's probably not very often.

In postmodern times, we have flying ambulances, MASH units and all kinds of well-equipped vehicles. But until now something major has been lacking. By that one might refer to an off-road, all-terrain ambulance that can travel through the harshest of environments. With that goal in mind, high technology is aiming to fill the gap for those who might be in need. We're talking about something that can assist people despite any obstacle that might be encountered. This is a tall order to be sure, but it appears that we are about to witness a new dawn for rescue vehicles. 

According to one article:

"Ambulances … weren't meant for off-road conditions. The RT 112, designed by Tomasz Siemek, is … part off-roader, part armored car, and all customizable modular emergency response vehicle.

This rugged vehicle, utilizing off-road suspension, would allow first-responders to get to victims in extreme duress and in locations traditional ambulances would fear to tread. Imagine if you were to drive in a regular ambulance to let's say, the edge of the Mojave Desert, only to find the road you needed to traverse in order to save someone was no longer "an actual working road" and has been washed out? You'd be in real trouble. How would you get to your injured patient? Would you simply turn back and give up? No, of course you couldn't. The mission must continue at all costs and against all odds. But what if the rescue vehicle was designed in such a way so as to anticipate any possible scenario? This is the key to the new paradigm.

The article continues:

"The rear part of the vehicle is contains elements that can easily be changed to suit the particular rescue situation for which it is needed. Different configurations can be used for operations in different parts of the world, making this a truly global rescue tool."

One can only wonder why it has taken so long for this type of postmodern high technology to ascend to prominence. Shouldn't this have been one our society's main research and development projects over the past four decades? Whatever the reason, it appears that this type of innovation is surely a godsend.

And there are similar emergency innovations in the works, and these will prove over time to be a great benefit to society. One of the ways we evaluate a society is based on the compassion that society shows for the weak and the injured and the unfortunate. Now technology will act as a de facto measuring stick for how much we "care."

For example, as EMSWorld has pointed out:

"Smart phones and in-car GPS units may soon notify people of an approaching emergency vehicle before a siren is ever heard. It's called 911 ETA and involves software that can be downloaded to a smart phone or in-car GPS unit."

In audible fashion, the device says "Caution, an emergency vehicle is approaching" or "warning, approaching road block." The software will enable a smart phone to vibrate for about 30 seconds. During this period, drivers would be able to prepare to pull over to the side of the road.

This can only benefit response times, which are of course, very crucial for the survival of those who have been injured. Every second will count. Does the emergency vehicle have what it takes to make it to the crash site and then return? Snow, ice, wind, rain and even an EMP event might well cause a rescue mission to go haywire. An emergency vehicle that can dominate any terrain will definitely revolutionize a whole genre of vehicles. One would think that Gandhi would approve.

The whole "flying ambulance" concept might emerge in coming decades to save even more lives. We're moving in the right direction. Perhaps those who perfect these rugged all-terrain ambulances will share their wares and their knowledge with the rest of the world. Again, as noted, it's hard to believe that this concept wasn't actualized upon decades ago. Was it a case of misplaced priorities or budget limitations? Surely just about every city and town in the world is in need of an emergency vehicle – or even a fleet of them. 

Anthony

Anthony C. LoBaido is a journalist, ghostwriter and photographer. He has worked in 53 nations around the world – from Laos to Lebanon, from Belize to Botswana and from Nepal to Namibia. He also published a book on the Kurds. Some of LoBaido’s favorite stories include attending the British Army’s jungle warfare training in Central America, retracing Lawrence of Arabia’s World War I trek through Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, investigating the blood diamonds of Sierra Leone as popularized in the Leonardo DiCaprio film by the same name, meeting “CNN hero” Aki Ra at one of his landmine digs in northern Cambodia, working with Time Magazine’s “Hero of Asia” Lek Chailert on her crusade to assist injured and abused elephants in Southeast Asia, rescuing HIV/Aids throw-away babies in the garbage dumps of Cape Town, South Africa, as well as visiting a leper colony in Myanmar. LoBaido’s articles have been cited by Ivy League universities such as Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania. As a photographer, LoBaido made National Geographic in 2014.