Be ready for the unexpected

In an emergency EMS professionals need reliable, state-of-the-art vehicles they can depend on – vehicles that work as hard as they do – to handle any emergency at any time.

Since 1974, Medtec Ambulance has focused on building advanced ambulances, and today the company is a leading North American manufacturer of custom ambulance vehicles. As part of Oshkosh Corporation’s Fire and Emergency group, Medtec is able to offer greater chassis selection, engineering support, and the warranty backbone of a major corporation.

Because each EMS agency and private ambulance service has unique requirements, Medtec offers a full product line of Type I, II, III and Additional Duty ambulances custom-built to customer specifications that are designed to meet a wide range of needs.

Excellent service and support

Medtec’s affiliation with Pierce Manufacturing, a sister company, provides an extensive network of local service centers with emergency vehicle expertise. The company also has access to the substantial resources of Oshkosh Capital, allowing it to offer favorable and flexible leasing and financing options to private and municipal customers.

“We rely on our national dealer network to build and sustain the trusted and valued relationships we enjoy with our customers,” said Jerry McCarthy, Medtec general manager. “Each of our dealers has the experience, staffing and facilities to match the local requirements for valuable after-the-sale service.”

Medtec customers enjoy a 24/7/365 service and support system, and a comprehensive dealer network. Most Medtec dealers have a long history in their territories, while the newest dealers all bring special qualifications and skills to ambulance customers in each market.

In addition, Medtec uses local specialized test facilities and certified professional engineers to document any testing required for specific new product development or product improvement projects. Medtec’s goal is to focus on safety for those that rely on the ambulance in case of an emergency.

Advanced safety features
The company has a strong tradition of conducting research to develop new safety features throughout its extensive product line. Recognizing that some great ideas can come from those who use the company’s products on a daily basis, Medtec’s product and sales managers also work closely with active paramedics who approach the company with ideas about enhancing safety for EMS personnel.

In working closely with one customer, Medtec’s team soon realized they needed to “rearrange the furniture,” by changing the traditional ambulance interior footprint that had been around for decades – almost since the days of horse-drawn ambulances.

The result was Medtec’s ActionSafe™ interior configurations that create a bold new envelope of protection for EMS professionals. The centerpiece of the ActionSafe interior design is one or more high-backed 5-point harness seats located in a protected side action zone. The harness is connected to integral inertia reel retractors that allow a safe, comfortable range of motion for the attendant providing care.

No longer do caregivers need to make a choice between protecting themselves and providing optimal patient care. This seat eliminates the need for attendants to stand up while the ambulance is moving. ActionSafe configurations provide the belted attendant with convenient, arm’s reach access to the patient, plus gloves, drugs, IV set-ups, lighting, climate controls and radios. 

The seat moves easily toward the cot and advanced ergonomics allow a full range of patient care, significantly enhancing safety for attendants. 

“The ActionSafe design is an industry game-changer,” said Jim Philips, a former EMS Chief and currently Medtec senior regional sales manager. “This revolutionary configuration keeps EMTs safely restrained, yet allows them to provide complete patient care.”

Medtec launched the ActionSafe system three years ago, and today more than 100 vehicles feature the ActionSafe design elements. Other improvements include tapering and flaring cabinets away from potential impact zones, additional padding, and interior surfaces protected with a high durability, anti-microbial finish to reduce biohazard concerns.

Advantages of an integrated manufacturer

As part of Oshkosh Corporation, Medtec has extensive engineering support available, and benefits from the synergy of being part of a larger world-renowned group. Oshkosh designs and builds the world’s toughest specialty trucks, truck bodies and access equipment by working closely with the people who use them.

Oshkosh’s manufacturing philosophy of mass customization delivers highly specialized vehicles, while its large-scale manufacturing operations provide significant economies of scale. And because the company is broadly diversified, it can leverage its proprietary technologies to create powerful competitive advantages across many different markets.

Oshkosh seeks to introduce more new products and technologies than its competitors in each end market, giving the company a distinct competitive advantage. Oshkosh is at the forefront of robotic vehicle development, diesel-electric drive technology, and independent suspension systems.

Future trends

Increased safety, collision avoidance and survivability concerns continue to drive many of the product changes in the ambulance industry. Medtec uses a variety of camera systems to open driver viewpoints, helping avoid collisions caused during lane changes or backing up.

Another trend is the need for greater overall product value as reduced budgets reflect current economic conditions.

“Medtec has products to assist customers seeking standard value-priced products, as well as higher-end vehicles with the most advanced safety features and design,” said Philips. “In addition, our Flex Financing is a one-source solution with the industry’s widest selection of flexible leasing plans.” 

Medtec officials consider the company part of the emergency services community, and stay current on market trends and concerns by participating in multiple organizations including:
• The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)
• The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Emergency Medical Services
 section
• The Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD) of the National Truck Equipment
 Association (NTEA)
• The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) New Ambulance Standards
   Committee

In addition, because Medtec has many new offerings for private and hospital-based providers, it is becoming active in the trade organizations representing those constituencies as well, such as the American Ambulance Association (AAA).

“In these tough economic times, you have to partner with a company you can trust to back their products today and tomorrow. Because we’re part of Oshkosh, customers can count on Medtec to be here for them,” said McCarthy. “We’ll continue to support our customers with innovative new products and features, flexible financing options and an unparalleled dealer support organization while we maintain an intense focus on safety, reliability and durability.”

To view the company’s products, visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.medtecambulance.com" www.medtecambulance.com.