Moses Lake designs better ambulance

New ambulance design sought after by cities

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Fire Department might standardize the industry.

In June 2005, the department began brainstorming ideas for a new and improved ambulance, Deputy Fire Chief Corbin Moberg said. Something the department needed at the time.

"We started off with blank sheets of paper," he said. "It was designed from scratch."

From there the department pulled together with the manufacturer to create a final design, one which is better than the ambulances they had.

By July 2006, the department received their personalized ambulance and it already has roughly 10,000 miles on it.

The new ambulance design is a step up from the other ambulances for several reasons. It is also $10,000 cheaper than the average sale price coming in at $135,000, Moberg said.

The emergency lights and the heating and cooling system is improved, he said. Most importantly they are able to provide better care in adverse situations.

The other ambulances do not meet all the needs of the department in special situations, he said.

The inside was redesigned to be more spacious. In the new model, up to five paramedics can care for one individual with enough room to get the job done safely. If the department is responding to an incident with multiple people who are injured, up to three injured people can fit inside with two to three paramedics. The doors are wider to get a patient inside easier too.

In the older models, only two or three people could fit inside. It is really crowded, he said.

Other cities are pursuing information and designs of the ambulance from the department. Walla Walla and Richland are the most active in getting information on the ambulance, Moberg said.

Eventually variations of the new model will replace the older models at the department.

"I think it's the best I've ever seen," Moberg said.

He reminds citizens the ambulance is their service and people are welcome to come visit and take a tour of the new model.