SJC Industries Corp. unveils a breakthrough design intended to increase ambulance safety.
At the Fire Department Instructors Conference, SJC Industries Corp., manufacturer of McCoy Miller, Marque and Premiere brand of ambulances, demonstrated their leadership in design and engineering by unveiling a new concept Side-Load ambulance.
The vehicle was built to address safety challenges present in today’s ambulance market. An article published in 2003 by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) titled ‘Ambulance Crash-Related Injuries Among Emergency Medical Services Workers --- United States, 1991—2002’ called for manufacturers to take action. In that article it states, “Ambulance manufacturers should evaluate and develop occupant protection systems designed to increase the crash survivability of EMS workers and patients in ambulance patient compartments and ensure that such systems allow EMS workers mobility to access patients and equipment. “ This new design by SJC Industries Corp has responded to this call for occupant protection.
SJC’s Side-Load design repositions the patient and attendants, delivering the following features with resulting benefits:
The new Side-Load design uses high back seats with 5-point safety harnesses in all seating positions. These chairs move side-to-side following the length of the cot, and telescope forward and backward using aircraft quality materials. This provides access to the patient and controls while remaining properly restrained. An outboard mounted bench style forward facing high-back seat incorporates a child safety seat with 5-point safety harness.
The design of this ambulance incorporates two extra-wide sliding side doors, thus allowing egress to the patient from either the street side or curbside. Sliding doors offer less obstruction at emergency scenes or in garages and are less likely affected in windy situations.
Storage of medical supplies is achieved by the use of sliding drawers that are recessed into the rear partition and held in the closed or open position with the aid of gas struts. This design has eliminated many head strike zone obstructions. Any remaining cabinets are heavily padded with high-density foam cushions.
Electrical controls and oxygen delivery systems are located on both sides of the patient compartment, giving attendants access needed while remaining seat-belted. This new design also provides increased exterior storage at the rear of the vehicle for rescue gear, bunker gear, stokes basket or other extrication and patient care equipment.
Using a Ferno-Washington Stat-Trac cot mount provides a cot anchorage system, which has been tested to a 20 G force. By locating the patient laterally, the force of a frontal impact is potentially evenly distributed along the entire length of the patient. Traditional positioning of patients is prone to applied isolated force to the neck and shoulder regions. Crash tests have demonstrated that should a patient be loosely restrained in a traditional cot orientation they will “submarine” towards the front of the vehicle injuring both the patient and attendant.
The Side-Load uses the latest technology in LED exterior warning and interior lights. This provides increased lumens while reducing amperage requirements and extending service life. The high capacity HVAC system is ducted through the ceiling, providing affective and adjustable delivery of conditioned air to the patient.
This concept vehicle will be traveling to many of the major EMS shows across the country in the coming months. End user comments will be catalogued for analysis and consideration as future generations of this unique concept vehicle are designed.
For further information please contact Bob Parks, Product Manager at 800-326-2062