Mid-Mo Ambulance board views crash test video of ambulance boxes

The Mid-Mo Ambulance District Board viewed a crash test video featuring AEV ambulance boxes at the regular monthly meeting July 12. The group met in the new training room at the district office in Tipton.

The ambulances in regular use are AEV ambulances, which performed well in the crash tests as shown on the video. The major portion of the crash test dealt with an ambulance being struck by automobiles while speeding through an intersection with lights and siren.

In addition to rollover crash tests, one crash test demonstrated that the AEV ambulance used in the test could still be driven after being stuck on each side by cars running more than 40 miles-per-hour. Several photos were shown of an ambulance, not manufactured by AEV, from another district, which did not fare well when it clipped a parked semi.

Mid-Mo has one manufactured by that other company. It is older, and only used as a backup. Administrator Lee Kempf was advised by the board to look into the possibility of trading that ambulance for an older, used, AEV ambulance.

The old California ambulance base, on South High Street near the post office, is for sale. The district plans to place advertisements seeking sealed bids for the base. The district will reserve the right to reject all bids. The treasurer's report showed a balance of funds on hand of $218,146.

Run statistics for February were: Tipton, 57 calls with 44 transports; California, 77 calls, 41 transports; Versailles, 179 calls, 112 transports; and Barnett, 22 calls, 14 transports. District-wide, there were 335 calls with 211 transports for a transport rate on patient contact calls of 72.3 percent.

The next regular meeting is set for Aug. 9 at the Tipton district office.