Our new ambulance…
Barriere, BC-20190321-Barriere First Responders with the new ambulance, Thursday evening. Photo by Mikael Kjellstrom, www.pixdesk.ca
In 2018 members of the Barriere First Responders Society started to seek funding opportunities to replace FR-4. Although FR-4 was capable of providing us service, its age was starting to show with increasing maintenance costs and a lack of appropriate safety features required in todays age. Barriere First Responders applied for a Community Gaming Grant with the Province of BC; which we were successful in obtaining $87,500 towards the purchase of a new ambulance. Previous to the grant application the society took a hard look on what was the most economical and effective vehicle to replace FR-4. It was a debate between replacing it with a pick-up truck with a custom truck box or replacing it with another ambulance; As our society fundraises by providing First Aid at events, it was felt an ambulance was best suited to achieve both emergency response and First Aid Services.
With funding obtained the purchase of the ambulance was awarded to Malley Industries Inc, as they worked with us to stay within our budget. Malley took some of the typical ambulance systems out that aren’t required by our society without impairing the overall function and safety features of our unit. The ambulance was built custom for us on a 2019 Ram Promaster 3500 chassis brand new from the manufacturer. Once complete Malley hired a driver, to drive our ambulance from New Brunswick to Barriere, once again saving us on very expensive shipping costs. Once delivered January of 2019 we quickly had it brought to Picket Fence Graphics in Kamloops, BC to have all its decaling installed. The design closely resembles the look of a European ambulance due to its high visibility and the ease to identify who we are compared to other local emergency services.
Today with continual upgrades as funds are obtained FR-1 has become one of our most valuable assets we utilize. Barriere First Responders would like to thank the Province of BC, Malley Industries, and any organization or individual that has contributed to making FR-1 a possibility!
Our old vehicle…
The Barriere First Responders Society acquired a retired BCAS ambulance that spent its life responding to medical emergencies in the Penticton, BC area. Once the vehicle was retired it was brought down to the lower mainland where it sat in storage at Knight Hill Automotive in Richmond, BC. When the BCAS decided to donate an ambulance to the society the unit was given a chance for a new life. Knight Hill Automotive quickly jumped into action and stripped off all the decals on the unit that BCAS had put on, and performed a mechanical inspection on the unit and found it fit for service once again. Two members were sent on a mission to drive to the coast and pick up Barriere’s newest emergency vehicle.
Once the vehicle was driven back to Barriere it was to be stored in a bay at the fire hall where it was quickly established that it would not fit in the bay unless some modification was made to increase the length. Thankfully for the society, a small laundry room was able to lose a wall to make room for the new unit. The members took care of the wall and a new home was made for the newest addition to Barriere.
The unit was looking a little plain after Knight Hill removed all the decals on it so new images were designed and sent off to Visual Signs in Kamloops to be made. Visual Signs made quick work of drafting up the new designs, and after a few emails back and forth the designs were finalized; and a date set for the application of the decals. Visual signs came to the Barriere Fire Hall and applied all the decals to the unit under the tough scrutiny of the society.
Once the decals were put on the old ambulance it became the shining star it is now and is know as Barriere FR – 4. The unit was set up and stocked just like a BCAS ambulance so Paramedics and First Responders can work out of each other’s units with no problems.
A few special to the unit equipment was added so that Barriere First Responders can perform rehab to the Fire Department on big fire scenes removing the need to tie up the local ambulance. FR-4 is now a fully functioning unit that is ready to respond to any kind of medical emergency.
FR-4
- 2003 Ford E350
- Diesel
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