Ambulances
Each staffed with two paramedics, these vehicles are specifically designed and have been converted, so that a stretcher and medical equipment can be carried on board. Some of these vehicles are 4×4 vehicles.
There are different vehicle makes used as ambulances but the basic design and function remains the same
These are non-patient carrying vehicles but have a full set of medical equipment on board. Response vehicles are normally staffed by Advanced Life Support paramedics and are used to respond rapidly to a scene, for prompt assessment and treatment, of the patient, before the ambulance arrives to transport the patient to hospital. Due to the rural environment that KZN EMS operates in, mostly 4×4 vehicles are used. These are also the vehicles are also used by managers and supervisors
- Rescue vehicles
Staffed by one or two rescue medics these vehicles do not carry patients but have basic medical equipment and rescue equipment on board. These vehicles are specially designed and configured, to carry the heavy rescue equipment. The most well-known rescue equipment carried is the “jaws of life”, a collective term for several pieces of hydraulic rescue equipment, which are used to cut and shear metal. However this is not the only equipment carried on these vehicles, emergency lighting, rope rescue equipment and other pieces of rescue equipment are also carried.
• Rescue vehicles
- Patient transport buses
Staffed with a driver and patient attendant, these are standard buses ranging from 16-60 seats, used to transport patients, who require transport for non-emergency referrals between Hospitals and from Clinics to Community Health Centres and Hospitals.
These trips are planned and the patients attend prearranged appointments, after being referred to a particular specialised clinic. The appointment letters are normally used to book places on the busses. The patients are seen as out patients at these hospitals and are transported back after their appointments.
Some of the busses have had some of the rear seats removed and replaced with stretchers. A hydraulic lift at the back of the bus lifts the patients on stretchers into the bus.
- AIR AMBULANCE
These are aircraft which have been specially configured to be able to transport patients. KZN EMS operates two helicopters and a fixed wing aeroplane. The function of the air ambulances is to decrease response times, provide Advanced Life Support and decrease scene to hospital transport times. As they travel faster than automobiles and can avoid traffic and other delays. The aircraft are staffed by Advanced Life Support paramedics.
The helicopters have the advantage of not requiring a run way to land and are there for often used in pre hospital emergencies where patients require rapid transport to hospital or Advanced Life Support.
The aeroplane, unlike the helicopter requires a run way to land and is normally used to transport patients over longer distances or in specialized circumstances.
