This from Drew Gresik:
Here’s a shot of new Ambulance Co. 23 assigned shop number C165. It’s a 2013/14 FordE-350E-450/Wheeled Coach Type III. Other companies soon to receive their new rigs are Ambulances 5, 9, 15, 22, 33,and 36.
Ambulance 23 is a 2013 Ford E450/2014 Wheeled Coach Type III with shop #C165. Drew Gresik photo
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#1 by Bill C. on June 7, 2014 - 12:46 AM
AND THAT EKG STRIPE IS & WAS A Wheeled Coach concept !!!
#2 by Fartin' Fred on June 6, 2014 - 5:05 PM
I saw 1 of these new ones lit-up the other day (I believe it was 19), & the lighting definitely looked pretty cool.
I like the old red stripe, that had the EKG rhythm.
#3 by Bill Post on June 6, 2014 - 1:26 PM
Yes you are absolutely correct NJ. It does seem to be pointless and I didn’t realize that the order for them was for 70 of them. It really does seem to be a case of penny wise and pound foolish.
I have been following what other fire large fire departments have been doing as of late and while the Los Angeles City fire department had recently made some major changes in the make, model and design of their ambulances they really do seem to be getting a better value for their money. They went from Ford Type 3 to Dodge Type 1 ambulances however the bodies are from Braun northwest and they can also adjust the height of the box I understand.
I also understand that San Antonio Texas had gone to Dodge Ambulances with Fraser bodies and that they are pretty happy with them,
#4 by NJ on June 6, 2014 - 9:49 AM
Bill,
Keeping an “eye on them” is kind of pointless as the city signed a contract for 70 of these. Also, still not sure why the contract also specifies 30 Type I’s. The mixed order makes little sense.
There’s no way on this earth, that these rigs will last 7 years as the Ford Brauns did. Yes, they’ve been beat to heck the last couple of years, but these new ones will be dead and buried long before then.
#5 by fmddc221 on June 4, 2014 - 4:48 AM
Back when diesel was cheap it was ideal for the CFD to purchase diesel powered ambo’s. Now a days diesel is very,very expensive as you all already know. Lot’s of city’s are looking to alternative fuel sources other then diesel for light and medium duty vehicles. Know I know these ambo’s are probably gonna wear out fast and I’m pretty sure the city knows it. But rising fuel cost and EPA standards for diesel engines is getting ridicules! It will now be more cost efficient to maintain or replace a gas engine than a diesel. I’m pretty sure we will never see gasoline powered engines or truck companies again but CNG fuel is a strong possibility. Many large cities are already looking into it as well as talks with manufactures about the concept of a rig with CNG powered engines. Although at current, I wouldn’t want to ever see those dangerous ticking time bombs in our beloved fleet, they are inventing ways to limit the risk of CNG powered vehicles. May not be too far out of reach laddies!
#6 by Bill Post on June 4, 2014 - 2:13 AM
That’s a good point that you make NJ because in the long run the question is indeed how long will these Ambulances be able to hold up on Chicago’s streets. If they don’t last as long or as well as the rigs that they are replacing then it could really cost the city more in the long run.
The City will have to keep a close eye on these new model rigs to see just how well they hold up to see if the supposedly “cheaper cost” was worth it or not.
Chicago isn’t the only city that has modified the design of their ambulances to try to save money. Los Angeles City has recently been purchasing a new design ambulance (once again) which at least appears somewhat smaller. But that’s in Los Angeles.
#7 by Martin Nowak on June 3, 2014 - 11:00 PM
Ambulance company makes it sound better.
#8 by JS on June 3, 2014 - 11:19 AM
Honestly, I’m not too concerned about the graphics. When someone calls 911, they don’t care what the ambulance looks like. All that matters to them is the crew shows up, and is able to mitigate the situation. As long as it does its job – transport the patient to the hospital – good enough.
#9 by NJ on June 3, 2014 - 8:48 AM
Never mind the graphics, how long is a gas powered Type III from Wheeled Coach going to last in Chicago? 23 does around 7500 runs a year. Not long IMO. My experience with them is they start to wear right away. You feel the difference/decline within a few months and that’s running far less than 23 or most CFD co’s are going to run them.
#10 by Chuck on June 2, 2014 - 11:06 PM
1) Get rid of the “Co.” on the door…just “AMBULANCE”
2. Forget arching the Chicago Fire Department” – make it straight across, like the current scheme – also, change to color from gold back to red, or black, even. If that gold starts peeling, it’s gonna look like crap.
#> Like the continuous stripe idea mentioned before, and make it wider.
#11 by LFD 543 on June 2, 2014 - 2:24 PM
Personally, I like the look of these. Sure they’re different than what the rigs they are replacing looked like. And maybe the CFD could keep the same paint and logo scheme for years and years on the ambo.’s like they have on all other rigs. But these are nice. As long as they help save lives, that’s all that matters to me.
If I were to change anything, and it’s a small detail, it would be to have the red line be continuous all the way around…not broken up and a different height and width from the cab to the box.
#12 by Drew on June 2, 2014 - 11:44 AM
NJ I think you are correct, typo on my part. E-450 chassis.
#13 by Dan on June 2, 2014 - 8:58 AM
Is it just me, or do these already look old??
#14 by NJ on June 2, 2014 - 8:52 AM
Is this an E350 or an E450? The specs in the contract are for a 450, and the 350 does not meet the required weight ratings.
#15 by hmark on June 1, 2014 - 9:38 PM
They look sharp lit up would’ve like to see the fs vector though
#16 by Greg on June 1, 2014 - 8:31 PM
A-19 also got one and its in service now.
#17 by Jim on June 1, 2014 - 7:41 PM
I saw two coming up Interstate 65 on tuesday. I think they were 49 and 9.