-
Hopkins County EMS dedicates two new ambulances -
Hopkins County EMS dedicates two new ambulances -
Hopkins County EMS dedicates two new ambulances -
Hopkins County EMS dedicates two new ambulances
Hopkins County EMS| Hospital District Business
Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS CEO Brent Smith (right), stood proudly with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital- Sulphur Springs CEO Paul Harvey (left) and Program Manager for Pastoral and Spiritual Care Father Justin Wylie at the dedication ceremony for the two new ambulances that will join the fleet. Unit M15 will remain in Hopkins County, while Unit 2 will be stationed in Emory. Staff photo by Tammy Vinson
Lochlan Sanderson, grandson of Jeff Sanderson, Hopkins County EMS Shift Captain, checks out the back end of one the new ambulances dedicated on Friday, March 28. Staff photo by Tammy Vinson
(Top, left) Father Justin Wylie with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital- Sulphur Springs conducted a dedication ceremony for the two newest ambulances in Hopkins County EMS’ fleet Friday morning. Fr. Wylie blessed both new ambulances with holy water and prayed for all the people who will be in those vehicles — both patients and crewmembers.
(Right) Lochlan Sanderson, grandson of Jeff Sanderson, Hopkins County EMS’ Shift Captain, had a blast hanging out with Andy the Ambulance, who’s recently returned to the HCEMS crew. Andy will be around at various community events coming up this year. He’s quite a conversationalist too. Staff photos by Tammy Vinson
Hopkins County EMS is adding two new ambulances to its service fleet, increasing the agency’s capability to respond to medical emergencies.
Brent Smith, CEO/EMS Director for both Hopkins County Hospital District and Hopkins County EMS, said the two new ambulances were originally ordered in April 2022, but due to a system backlog due to COVID and supply chain issues, they’ve just arrived. HCEMS has three other ambulances on order.
Ambulances typically remain in service for about six years, then they’re either traded in or scrapped, depending on their mileage and number of hours in use. A brand new ambulance costs approximately $300,000, but in a life or death situation, they’re well worth the price. They’re serviced monthly to make sure they’re always in good working order.
HCEMS’ new ambulances come equipped with the latest built-in safety features for patient and crew safety, including a 360-degree camera system and traffic alert devices. They’re designed to handle “all hazard approaches in emergent situations,” Smith said.
The arrival brings the total number to 12 ambulances in the fleet. One of the new ambulances, Unit 2, will be stationed in Emory, while the other, Unit 15, will remain here in Hopkins County.
Hopkins County EMS hosted a dedication ceremony for the two new ambulances Thursday morning. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs CEO Paul Harvey and Father Justin Wylie, CMFHospital-SS’ Program Manager for Pastoral and Spiritual Care, attended, along with HCEMS staff and family members.
Fr. Wylie blessed both new ambulances with holy water. He spoke of HCEMS personnel being “stewards of the human race” in their service to the public, calling their lifesaving work an “act of stewardship.” He also prayed for all the people who will be in the ambulances, both crew members and patients.
Also in attendance was an old HCEMS friend — Andy the Ambulance. For those who haven’t met him, Andy is a remote-controlled model ambulance painted to match the real HCEMS fleet. He also talks, lights up and can blare his siren. Smith said Andy “has been in time out for [a while],” but he’s all tunedup and ready to meet the public at various upcoming community events. Keep an eye out for him around town.