These are additional to more than 140 dedicated advanced life support emergency paramedic ambulances with three person crews and over 100 light pumper and ambulance combination first response units with five crew members.
I think the idea of having dedicated "scoop and run" ambulances for BSPP personnel probably goes back to the days before the BSPP operated the city EMS service, and they wanted to be sure they had a medical transport unit at each major incident in case any members were injured. The Vigili del Fueco operate their "own" ambulances too, because EMS services in many areas of Italy are reputedly a bit iffy!
I remember that Heidelberg fire service operated a combined command van and ambulance when I lived there, for the same reason - they wanted to be sure they had a medical transport at every fire and accident. In their case, the unit was also used quite often to transport civilians too.
In Paris, every structure fire is attended by two pumpers and a ladder. At least one pumper is a first response combination, so basic life support and patient transport are automatically on hand. The VES seems to be a bit superfluous, but Paris' ambulance fleet is extremely busy, so I think they will keep a few in service.
I think the idea of having dedicated "scoop and run" ambulances for BSPP personnel probably goes back to the days before the BSPP operated the city EMS service, and they wanted to be sure they had a medical transport unit at each major incident in case any members were injured. The Vigili del Fueco operate their "own" ambulances too, because EMS services in many areas of Italy are reputedly a bit iffy!
I remember that Heidelberg fire service operated a combined command van and ambulance when I lived there, for the same reason - they wanted to be sure they had a medical transport at every fire and accident. In their case, the unit was also used quite often to transport civilians too.
In Paris, every structure fire is attended by two pumpers and a ladder. At least one pumper is a first response combination, so basic life support and patient transport are automatically on hand. The VES seems to be a bit superfluous, but Paris' ambulance fleet is extremely busy, so I think they will keep a few in service.
Added by Rob Johnson on 25 June 2014.