Deputy chief of the Muskoka Paramedic Services, Stuart McKinnon, was before the District Health Services Committee on February 22 to introduce the purchase of a new rapid response vehicle.
McKinnon said the vehicle will help paramedics access difficult areas, particularly during challenging conditions. This was a need identified during the 2019 flood when certain areas were completely inaccessible by car or truck. “We identified that we didn’t have a vehicle in the District’s fleet that could go through water, go around water, traverse rough terrain or areas like that,” explained McKinnon.
He said staff began to investigate the type of vehicles that could fill the need. They arrived at a utility terrain vehicle that sits two people and contains a climate-controlled area to securely transport a patient who would be protected from the elements and bugs. He also told the committee the vehicle could be deployed all year long.
The vehicle has removable tracks, it comes with a trailer and additional emergency features purchased via a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for $40,000 on top of the $90,000 cost of the vehicle.
He told committee that staff are currently being trained and procedures are being developed for its use.
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