Midlands Air Ambulance Charity gains new cars
The charity recently took delivery of a fleet of three BMW X5 rapid response vehicles.
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) recently unveiled three new rapid response vehicles to support the helicopter air ambulance organisation’s operations across the region.
With assistance from its corporate partners, M6toll, the charity took delivery of a fleet of three BMW X5 rapid response vehicles (RRVs) to complement air operations. The three vehicles are situated at the organisation’s three airbases – RAF Cosford in Shropshire, Tatenhill airfield in Staffordshire, and Strensham Services on the M5 in Worcestershire. The new cars are ready to be deployed if a helicopter is grounded, for example during the hours of darkness or a period of particularly bad weather, said MAAC.
On average five per cent of incidents Midlands Air Ambulance attends are via the RRVs, enabling the aircrew to continue to offer early medical intervention and save lives when the aircraft is not an option.
Becky Steele, MAAC air operations manager, explained the decision to invest in the BMW X5 series model: “The X5 is a tried and tested rapid response vehicle for the emergency services. Its large interior is perfect for a bespoke medical equipment fit-out, while the model’s advanced capability means it is a reliable asset, ensuring our clinicians tend to incidents swiftly and safely.”
MAAC researched the medical fit-out with the West Midlands Ambulance Service. Duplicating the medical kit on the helicopters, each RRV carries a range of kit including two response bags, a Zoll cardiac monitor, suction and ventilation equipment, leg splints, oxygen, burns packs, scene lighting and a safe for storing drugs in transit.
Steele continued: “These high-tech vehicles complement our operations perfectly. Thanks to their capability and the kit onboard, they are already enabling us to save even more lives across the region.”