Excerpts from a Chicago Tribune article:
Chicago … paramedics are having the same issues navigating the city as everyone else – side streets aren’t plowed and the snow often sits higher than the bottom of cars.
City ambulances were getting stuck on side streets and have required a push and or other firefighters to dig them out. The vehicles are rear-wheel drive but have “some weight on them,” Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said.
“We’ve had a couple cases where ambulances have responded to replace ambulances but no critical care incidents that I’ve heard of,” he said.
A lot of the stuck ambulances have stopped at their destination and are treating patients when they realize they can’t move. Most have called for fire engines or trucks to come and the department members dig out the ambulance and give it a push to get it on its way. In a couple cases, they’ve called for replacement ambulances.
“You got five guys and shovels, they dig it out and push. Usually you just have to get it out of a pocket,” Langford said. “But they’re trying not to go down the middle of streets that are messed up. They’ll go to an intersection or corner and try to bring the patient out, walk down the street if necessary.”
thanks Dan
#1 by Jim on February 5, 2015 - 3:24 AM
Here in the south suburbs I’ve seen FDs sending there service units (pick ups,etc) on every call now for plow escort
#2 by Rj on February 4, 2015 - 4:44 PM
True but hospitals ambo bays, firehouse bays, city viaducts and other still district phenomena determine your max travel height. Ambos are tall already and the internationals limit box height since the chassis is so tall. A dept bought a F450 identical to my depts, they park outside the ambo bay bc of the FWD despite the specs. everyone has bailed on internationals, thank god. The motor, trans and chassis last but they ride like hell. We’ll have to wait and see but so far the terrastar is not catching on, nearly every new ambo i see is ford F350 or F450.
#3 by Robert on February 4, 2015 - 4:07 PM
RJ, I agree with you but only on the 4×2 internationals. The 4×4 international terrastar is good in snow, I have a buddy who uses them in construction and sales. He gets them straight from the factory, since they introduced it on the terrastar. They custom build the terrastar to the height my friends wants them at so he can clear a overhead door at one of his garages.
#4 by DMc77 on February 4, 2015 - 4:04 PM
We have a 4×4 ambulance on an F450 chassis and it got as stuck as any other vehicle. FWD is not a guarantee that a vehicle won’t get stuck in the type of conditions we saw
#5 by Rj on February 4, 2015 - 3:32 PM
Ive seen ambos on international chassis get stuck, its not the ambos its the conditions. For that matter i’ve seen engines and towers stuck too. When you get 19″ of snow in an urban area these curcumstances are inevitable,
#6 by Crabby Milton on February 4, 2015 - 2:58 PM
Yes it is ridiculous to fit them with seasonal tracks. But looking at the big picture, it’s more ridiculous that some big cities can’t get their heads out of their butts and carry out core functions and plow the blasted streets within a reasonable time.
#7 by Marty Coyne on February 4, 2015 - 2:27 PM
The vast majority apparently were the new type III ambos.
#8 by Rj on February 4, 2015 - 2:11 PM
The travel height, purchase cost, maintenance issues and maintenance costs make 4×4 prohibitive. Additionally, a vehicle w/ insufficient ground clearance won’t benefit from 4×4 anyway. it’s impossible to plan and purchase your out of every percieveable weather phenomenon. As for the tracked ambulance… Completely ridiculous.
#9 by Mike on February 4, 2015 - 1:33 PM
Some stuff you just have to deal with. 4 wheel drive ambulances would get ruined in the city. Same for having tracks. There were some fire rigs that got stuck too. The city needs to do a better at plowing. Either bring more people in to plow or just have a better plan.
#10 by Crabby Milton on February 4, 2015 - 11:26 AM
I saw some apparatus built on the FORD SUPERDUTY chassis that had tracks on all 4 wheel positions. They could be removed for non winter months. I don’t know how that would work on an ambulance in terms of speed but barring that, perhaps old fashioned snow tires would work. They may be loud but if they can’t get thru to save lives then that’s a non issue.
#11 by spoung45 on February 4, 2015 - 9:27 AM
when we had the blizzard in 2011 they used snowmobiles. why not this time?
#12 by Marty Coyne on February 4, 2015 - 8:06 AM
It’s the city and Fleet not CFD making these decisions.
#13 by Crabby Milton on February 4, 2015 - 6:01 AM
We have the same problem in Milwaukee. We used to take pride in showing off how good we were in having snow cleared almost as fast as it comes out of the sky. Well, those days are long gone because we have an idiot mayor who doesn’t seem to believe that police, fire and streets are a core function of city govt. He’s been mayor for 11 years so I doubt that will change. Whether we vote for our leaders or not or we like it or not, we all get the govt. we deserve. 🙁
#14 by Jay on February 4, 2015 - 12:04 AM
Hopefully CFD’s procurement specialist(s) will consider 4-wheel drive ambulances next time vs. the rear-wheel drive Type IIIs they recently acquired.
#15 by FARTIN' FRED on February 3, 2015 - 9:47 PM
Dam, that’s a pain in the ass alright.