In order to treat patients effectively paramedics are often required to ride in the back of an ambulance unrestrained. Due to the location of the equipment and controls in these older units it was impossible to treat patients and remain safely belted. While we have not experienced any serious accidents involving our ambulances, our leadership realized this environment was not designed to allow a safe operation. When it was time to replace the ambulances in Winter Park, EMS Supervisor Lieutenant / Paramedic Andrew (A.J.) Isaacs led the team who are now being credited for this totally new design. Lieutenant Isaacs looked at the workspace and performed hours of research to determine what environment would be the safest for our paramedics.

It was concluded that to fix the problem, the patient area would need to be redesigned. The ergonomics of an ambulance's patient compartment had not been considered in this way before. That's when Medtec Ambulance Inc, of Goshen, Indiana stepped up to the plate.

Each vehicle contains a much safer work space for our firefighters where in many cases they can remain seated and secured in a five-point harnessed attendant seat, a true ambulance industry first. Others are seeing the benefit of Winter Park's safer ambulance design. Firefighters and paramedics from numerous other agencies, as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are extremely interested incorporating many of these new safety features in their units and recommendations.

Fire Chief Jim White said of the new design, "I am very proud to see the creativity and innovative ideas of our staff come to fruition. We are convinced that the changes incorporated in these vehicles will make the job safer for our firefighters."