Some (non-VW) SA emergency vehicles

[Pine]

Posted by a friend on another Forum..

I had added this lot to a previous thread, but thought i would do it here on it`s own. These vehicles were used by the Cape Ambulance and Rescue Services in the 80`s and 90`s. CARS had and still has it`s own specialised Rescue Department incorporated into the Ambulance Service and staffed by specially trained ambulance staff. CARS - or as it`s known nowadays as Cape Emergency Medical Services - staff are trained on the American EMT concept changed in specific areas to adapt to South African conditions. Our bls are at EMT-1 standard - EMT-1 is at EMT-1 ALS standard and so on as everyone`s training has been upgraded to deliver a better standard of care to the patient. EMS crew`s are all registered at the South African Medical Association ( as are doctor`s) and work on their own licences. This is overseen by SAMA and senior ambulance personnel as well as the doctor`s employed by the service.
Anyway - some of the pics - i will try and get some more modern pics - i actually saw yesterday evening that Worcester (my hometown) has gotten a new Rescue vehicle based on a Ford F-250.

The first pic is from 1970 and it`s either a Dennis or a Morris (not to sure) and that`s me old man standing on the side (no wonder i also joined for 17 years until work enviroment and job satisfaction made me and 119 other very experienced personnel leave within 3 months time in 1998 - it had basically (95%) become a glorified taxi service ) -- (he was in the service for 28 years and was one of the first 12 EMT-1`s in South Africa as well as one of the first 6 Paramedic level trained Ambulancemen in South Africa under the guidance of Dr. Alan Macmahon who initiated the Rescue Service as well which was in the late 70`s a very much needed unit with advanced rescue equipment as the Fire Services at that stage was really not up to the task.)

Pics


This one is a Ford F-250 Metropolitan mark 2 - straight six motor - auto box


This is a Ford F-250 Metropolitan mark 3 - LHD - straight six motor and auto box


The next 2 pics are of a ALS unit ( my crewcar - the tall oke is me - a lot younger and a lot more hair) LHD - 5.7 V8 Autobox




This pic is of crew cars at the ready to go out on shift


The Rescue Unit - Mercedes - Rescue 7 - all emergency equipment carrier


Rescue 6 - Mobile crane unit - ERF - The rear crane could lift 55 tons dead weight


and Rescue 2 - Ford F-250 with BIG V8 motor


There were also numerous other Ambulances and Rescue vehicles. The Rescue unit used Toyota Landcruisers for Rescue Response units because of their ruggedness and on/off road capabilities. Some of them are still being used by the country services in SA.
Anyway, sorry for all the :rant: and hope you enjoyed.......