Two new ambulances will help improve the response and reliability of emergency medical services.
DVES Director Dale Dacres hands Acting HSA CEO Shirlene Henriques the keys to one of the new ambulances. With them are, from left, EMT-I Gifford Prendergast, Nurse Manager Ella Connolly, Paramedic Dennis Fennell, and HSBC Director Tom Clarke. Photo: Submitted |
The vehicles arrived in Grand Cayman on Monday and will be commissioned shortly.
The ambulances will add to the fleet of seven vehicles already in service on Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, according to a press release from the Health Services Administration.
Purchased by the Department of Vehicles and Equipment on behalf of the HSA, the two brand new 2005 Braun Ford E450 models came at a cost of CI$105,000 each.
‘We believe this is a worthwhile investment as these vehicles will greatly strengthen the HSA’s emergency services, said DVES Director Dale Dacres.
Acting HAS Chief Executive Officer Shirline Henriques said the reliability of the new vehicles and the increase in the number of ambulances available will allow a faster response to emergencies.
Mrs. Henriques noted that the existing fleet of ambulances, while still reliable, were four years old and require frequent maintenance due to their everyday use.
‘The durability of the vehicles were also severely tested during Hurricane Ivan by the overwhelming number of responses made to calls, in less than ideal conditions, from those in distress. The effect of the salt water has begun to take its toll on the vehicles.’ she said.
‘The new ambulances are roomier and provide a quieter ride, which is important when monitoring vital signs of patients during transport, they will enable us to provide better patient care because of the quality of the new vehicles.’ Mrs. Henriques said.
“All our ambulances are now less than five years old and we have a very modern and reliable fleet,’ she said.
She commended the generosity of HSBC Bank for providing partial funding for the purchase of the ambulances.
‘The generous support by HSBC immediately following hurricane Ivan and in particular toward the purchase of the ambulances shows the value of partnerships which are important in healthcare delivery,’ she said.
‘The bank considers health an important aspect of national development and having witnessed the superhuman efforts of the emergency medical teams to save lives, we had no hesitation in committing the funds for the purchase of these vehicles,’ HSBC’s. David Whitefield said.
‘Whatever the cause – from a sudden traumatic illness or injury, natural or manmade disasters to automobile accidents, heart attacks or even emergency childbirth, it is comforting to know that our emergency medical services are ready and capable of providing immediate lifesaving care and transportation and these vehicles will ensure the continued reliability and quality service that the people of the Cayman Islands have been used to,’ he said.
The HSA’s Emergency Medical Services is staffed by specially trained nurses, doctors, paramedics and emergency medical technicians who provide seven-day, 24-hour emergency services on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
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