RAPID RESPONSE

摘要

The overriding priority for the emergency services -particularly ambulance and fire and rescue crews - is saving lives. So that primary function should drive every aspect of vehicle specification, build and maintenance. Obvious? Yes, of course. Yet, a combination of custom and practice, cost cutting and, ironically, even legislation and advancing technology, are in some instances getting in the way. How? Because they're conspiring on the one hand to squeeze engineering innovation and competition, and, on the other, to hinder these vehicles' driving progress. No doubt both are unintended consequences, but they're happening nonetheless. So why? Gary Stephenson, special vehicles engineering manager at Cartwright, has a wealth of experience in blues and twos, including formerly with O&H Vehicle Conversions and Alexander Dennis on its fire side. He gives the example of specifications for ambulances apparently written less by fleet engineers and more by paramedics and administrators. These may not only turn out to be unrealistic, but can also sap engineering attention and cost.