$26m to fund more ambulances and paramedics in South Australia

[boredmatrix]

i'm glad you lot aren't running SAAS - the extra $26 million would be gone just on fleet modifications....

[safireservice]

maybe they could spend some on driver training. 

[Cameron Yelland]

maybe they could spend some on driver training. 

What train all the other drivers on the road to get out the way?   

[safireservice]

Nah i though more along the lines of teaching the ambo drivers not to crash red lights at 30kmh.

[SA Firey]

I'm glad you lot aren't running SAAS - the extra $26 million would be gone just on fleet modifications....

Well if they got built properly in the first place we wouldnt have to spend a cent

[Knackers]

"Nah i though more along the lines of teaching the ambo drivers not to crash red lights at 30kmh."


 

[rescue5271]

So where do SAAS buy their fleet from is it like a fire truck shop....

[SA Firey]

So where do SAAS buy their fleet from is it like a fire truck shop....

Fleets are bought from Mercedes and sent to Mader for fitout

http://www.mader.com.au/main.html

[boredmatrix]

there was other companies in Australia, but so far MADER is the only one that has managed to stay afloat.

as for comments about building them properly in the first place...perhaps that should be aimed at management not the roadies who have to work in them!

To their credit tho..the last generation of fleet was modified as a result of suggestions from roadstaff  - this new lot however was not overly consulted upon - in fact, one particular component was designed by an ambo, but it wasn't until the fleet was on the road that the injuries started happening and the decision was made to rectify it! (INSERT EXTRA $$$$$$)

as for the budget...well...one could surmise that most of it  will be spent buying all our volunteer stations a 2nd ambulance and doing some heavy recruiting so that all the GP Plus EMERGENCY CENTRES (ie: former hospitals) can transfer their patients to the major hospitals!!

[chook]

Maybe the emergency services need to change the way vehicles are purchased in the first place.
According to this forum nobody knows how to build a) ambulances b)fire trucks & c) rescue trucks.
Even though the above equipment is designed by professionals & built by qualified trades persons.
Why is this so?
Because the whole process is wrong!
You firstly need to work out what you want, then get all manufacturers to submit a prototype, then trial the units supplied under different conditions etc, ask the trial users for comments on each (then ignore those comments) & finally award a contract for a set number of vehicles. This is what another organisation does & it takes several years and cost a small fortune before the first one arrives, And then they update them over their service life ( check out the Merc fire appliance on the Varley website, I drove one in 89 couldn't believe they were still around!)
So thats how you build good vehicles, here endth the lesson
And I like the new hospital idea - we get an upgrade
cheers

[6739264]

Even though the above equipment is designed by professionals & built by qualified trades persons.
Why is this so?

Sadly the 'professionals' that design them have been behind a desk for so long that they have begun to lose touch with reality.

[SA Firey]

Just ask any AMBO about the Mercedes....as their crews are recieving injuries from driving them

Oh bring back the F series...

[CFS_Firey]

Getting injured driving a vehicle? How?

[Robert-Robert34]

While they are at it why not fund more community first response teams as well 

[boredmatrix]

Robert...you know far too much already......

either that or a lucky guess!   

as for injuries driving mercs....ask anyone over 6'2 who's had back or shoulder problems!  honestly..who puts a steering wheel in a car angled at just above flat, and a seat that's so high up off the floor - and then sells it to companies who expect their staff to drive for extended periods of time?  ERGNONMICS MY AUNT FANNY!

[CFS_Firey]

...honestly..who puts a steering wheel in a car angled at just above flat, and a seat that's so high up off the floor - and then sells it to companies who expect their staff to drive for extended periods of time?  ERGNONMICS MY AUNT FANNY!

... Mercedes?

[chook]

Thats the problem with that style of vehicle - forward control types (Hiace, Sprinters etc). You will find a lot of the "Euro" designed trucks are similar, its the only way to set the steering up without increasing the length. As for people over 6' 2" there is a solution - don't hire tall people!
If you bring back the Ford F series or something similar, people would then complain about the size, turning circle etc. Like all things its a compromise, I have driven the Sprinter & didn't think it was that bad (except for all of the weird electrical tricks you guys have fitted).
And if you think that's bad try driving a Holden Rodeo Dual cab type over any distance or worse a Series 3 Landrover "Blood box" - I can tell you thats not pleasant!
At the end of the day these are commercial vehicles, just like the fire trucks etc - you are not going to get the ride & comfort that you would from the family sedan. And its personal preference as well, having driven the latest Commodore, Falcon & Mitsubishi 380 - I still prefer my VT!
So I guess there you have it, you can't please all of the people all of the time & some time in the future when the Sprinter (& their Ford cousins) are replaced people will complain about the new bus & look back with fond memories at the current fleet Thats just the way it is.
cheers

[RescueHazmat]

...honestly..who puts a steering wheel in a car angled at just above flat, and a seat that's so high up off the floor - and then sells it to companies who expect their staff to drive for extended periods of time?  ERGNONMICS MY AUNT FANNY!

... Mercedes?

Correct.

[boredmatrix]

the newest generation of Merc 315's are a big step forward - better steering position and much better suspension option.  Now the only crap things left are the stupid big drawer in the side that weighs a tonne (currently being re-done...yet to be retrofitted) and the crappy little 4 cylinder motor......

[bajdas]

...and the crappy little 4 cylinder motor......

Just curious,
* how much does an SAAS Ambulance weigh without the patient ?
* is it a diesel 4 cylinder turbo motor ?

[Alan (Big Al)]

It is a turbo 4!!! The local crew reckon it's gutless compared to the previous mercs. but they like the reversing camera

[Tonto Goldstein]

It is a turbo 4!!! The local crew reckon it's gutless compared to the previous mercs. but they like the reversing camera

The reversing camera is great.

The 4 cylinder can't handle hills. The 5 cylinders were better. Both overheat when climbing hills in Summer.

The drawer is a nuisance.

The Mercedes are much better for attending patients than the Fords' more headroom, more space in the airway seat.

The Fords were overrated. The V8 sounded great but the vehicles were invariably tail-heavy and prone to understeer and body roll. Communication between front & back was difficult because of noise.

Naturally, all the above is IMNSFHO.