Midhurst/May 28, 2010 – The County of Simcoe is modernizing its emergency vehicle fleet to ensure they are well equipped to save lives while operating with reduced green house gas emissions.
The County, in partnership with Fleet Challenge Ontario, Simplicity Air and Demers Ambulance, have been working together since December 2009 to develop a prototype ambulance as part of the police and EMS vehicle idling reduction demonstration project.
The project, which is supported by the Ontario government, consists of a Hybrid Idling Reduction System (HIRS), an innovative application of existing green technologies that will revolutionize emergency medical service vehicle operations. HIRS maintains all onboard systems, and cab climate control as mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, without idling and with no compromise in performance. The result is that idling time is reduced along with greenhouse gas emissions.
“The County of Simcoe is committed to taking positive steps toward lessening our carbon footprint,” said Warden Cal Patterson. “This innovative partnership is another example of Council’s progressive thinking and its willingness to invest in a greener future.”
Currently, EMS and police vehicles idle from 35 to 65 per cent of their overall operating time. Vehicles are routinely left idling to prevent drugs, medication and specialized equipment from being damaged and to ensure the patient compartment is kept at normal room temperature. On scene, the vehicles are left idling to provide sufficient power for emergency systems and lights.
The County of Simcoe provided one of their new ambulances for the trial phase of the project. The University of Windsor will conduct environmental testing on the ambulance before it joins the County’s fleet in June. All testing is scheduled to be completed by December 2010.
Fleet Challenge Ontario (FCO) is a not-for-profit program of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance that helps fleet operators reduce their fuel consumption, operating costs and tailpipe emissions through sharing of modern fleet management techniques and proven best management practices.
The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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