This from Mike Summa:
Hello,Here are some old pictures of Garden Homes Fire Department units. They are from the 1970s. One is a Dodge ambulance and the other is a 1970s Ford (X-Alsip squad truck) of unknown specifications. Question– in the 1970s, Dodge ambulances were everywhere. Now they are a rarity. What happened?Enjoy,Mike S.
Mike Summa photo
Mike Summa photo
#1 by Mike Mc on July 25, 2016 - 2:59 PM
Not related to the photo, but regarding Garden Homes and Merrionette Park: Merrionette Park has had a very hard time getting a second ambulance from Garden Homes at least twice this week, is there anything going on? Evergreen Park had to make a 3.8 mile run to an accident and they were not requested until about ten minutes after the first request for a second ambo went out to Garden Homes. That’s about 20 minutes for the second ambo. A day or two earlier, MPFD had to wait over 15 minutes for a second ambo at Bourbon Street and Blue Island, who was special called was returned while in route.
If I was the mayor or city manager, I would want to know how difficult and expensive would it be for MPFD to have a second ambo?
#2 by Michael Kurent on July 25, 2016 - 12:27 PM
The picture of the Garden Homes Squad 2505 is NOT from the 1970’s. The rig IS, but Garden Homes didn’t take possession of it until the 1990’s. When I started there back in 1990, we were still running the International step van as our squad company. When the step van broke down and wasn’t worth repairing, we attempted to convert a used bus. During the conversion, the Alsip rig became available and we abandoned the bus project.
#3 by Robert on July 20, 2016 - 3:36 PM
I believe FDNY now has Fords and Internationals that are newer than the dodges.
#4 by Drew Smith on July 19, 2016 - 11:11 PM
Prior to the early 1980s the Dodge and to a lesser degree the Chevy van were the predominate ambulances as the Type I and Type II cut-aways had not yet been popularized. Ford did not introduce its updated Econoline van until 1975 and it quickly dominated the industry, in my opinion. The industry quickly moved from van conversions (Type IIs) to Type Is and IIIs. While a wide variety of chassis were used for Type Is the Ford Econoline was almost the exclusive chassis for Type IIs. In the early 1980s EPA emission requirements resulted in hotter running gasoline engines and there was a rash of ambulance fires related to this. Ford again took the lead by introducing the diesel engine for the E-series. They also enacted the QVM (Qualified Vehicle Modifier) program. These two moves allowed Ford to dominate. Then in the late 1990s GVW became a concern. The E-series was only available in the 350 and in most cases a Type I or Type II had only a 1,000 pound (more or less) payload available. You add two crew members and a patient and many times the vehicle was overweight. This opened the door for the International and Freightliner medium-duty chassis. Shortly thereafter Ford introduced the SuperDuty permitting a significantly greater payload and challenging the medium duty chassis. Currently with the demise of the diesel E-series the variety of chassis is greater than ever.
#5 by DaveyB on July 19, 2016 - 9:54 PM
Crabby, I’ve seen some vans now, built on the Ford Transit chassis. Trace has one, and maybe Superior. Superior also has a bunch of Sprinters.
#6 by MABAS 21 on July 19, 2016 - 3:46 PM
The Ford F and E series had the predominance in the market for years until the heavy duty commercial chassis ie: International and Freightliner, entered the playing field. Marty is correct about the FDNY purchasing a few dozen RAM 3500 or 4500 Type I ambos, as I recall seeing one on display at FDIC along with a Phoenix, AZ ambulance. They were either Horton or Wheeled Coach. I also recall seeing both LA City and County utilizing the RAM 3500 and 4500 chassis for ambulances, paramedic squads and patrol (brush) units. Locally Flossmoor, Warrenville, Somanauk and Great Lakes Naval Station have Dodge RAM Type I ambulances.
#7 by CrabbyMilton on July 19, 2016 - 3:08 PM
That’s the sad fact of it is that CHRYSLER products are as nice as any other builder. But what good does that do when they have a very long history of quality problems. I had a company issued 1986 full size DODGE van. It had a nice ride and nice features for a delivery van. But almost from day one since new, it had annoying little problems that built up and gradually caused me to not like it very much.
Didn’t miss it when we moved it to a remote lot at the plant and eventually it was likely towed away for scrap.
You’re right, you can build an ambulance on the PROMASTER I saw some pictures now. https://cromwellemergency.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/exterior-4.jpg
I think FDNY has some built on the RAM 3500 or 4500 chassis and those aren’t the van type. I don’t know how those are holding up though.
#8 by Marty Coyne on July 19, 2016 - 2:12 PM
There are some Type I that are built on Dodge chassis, but Ford is much more popular. I believe FDNY bought a bunch of ambos on Dodge chassis recently. Not sure if they’re still buying them.
#9 by DaveyB on July 19, 2016 - 1:40 PM
Think some of it has to do with a decline in quality. There were a lot of recalls on Dodge vans around 1981. Most owners, including my employer at that time, had already spent buckets of money getting things fixed before the recalls.
#10 by CrabbyMilton on July 19, 2016 - 11:36 AM
Everybody lost interest in that type of design that’s what happened. It moved to the larger type on a heavier chassis enabling to carry more life saving equipment.
The full size van style is still available as far as I know but those are best suited for private non emergency operations.
As for DODGE(now RAM) vans being used for this, I seriously doubt that the RAM PROMASTER is very suitable for any sort of ambulance duty. That front wheel drive may be fine for delivery and light passenger service that platform may not be up to ambulance use. Please correct me if I’m wrong on the PROMASTER.