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Newhalem-Diablo Fire Brigade Rolls Out New Ambulance

For the first time in nearly 25 years, the Newhalem-Diablo Fire Brigade will have a new unit to respond to emergencies at the Skagit Project and the surrounding community.

What has four wheels, a hydraulic lift, snow chains that engage with the flip of a switch and is covered in red? If you guessed Newhalem-Diablo Fire Brigade’s new state-of-the-art ambulance, you’re correct! For the first time in nearly 25 years, the brigade will have a new unit to respond to emergencies at the Skagit Project and the surrounding community.

The ambulance was custom made to meet the unique needs of the mostly-volunteer brigade. City Light’s Rick Haggard and Levi Clark worked closely with the team to ensure that the ambulance was ready for almost any situation, from bumps and bruises within the project to emergencies on the North Cascades Highway.

Safety was also a top priority for the team. With four-point harnesses, a stretcher mount that can sustain 20Gs of force and airbags that protect the first responders, this vehicle takes care of both the responder and the patient.

“This is a unique vehicle in our fleet of over 1,000 pieces of equipment,” explains Rick Haggard, fleet manager in Fleet and Mobile Equipment. “It was a refreshing and rewarding project working as a team to accomplish the ambulance design and final delivery. The fleet office takes great pride in delivering the safest equipment possible to all City Light employees.”

This week, the ambulance will make its way to the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. The brigade will have an operator training and will report for duty the following week.