A debut of Singapore’s first dual function fire medical vehicle has taken place
HOPE Technik, a leading engineering firm delivering high-performance products and solutions globally, has released the Fire Medical Vehicle (FMV). As the company’s latest emergency vehicle, the FMV is also Singapore’s first hybrid function emergency vehicle that merges the firefighting capabilities of a lightweight fire engine with the medical support functions of an ambulance. This enables firefighters who are cross-trained in emergency medical services to provide early care to accident victims, improving first response efficiency.
Dual Function
With a frontal appearance that has a strong resemblance to a mini fire engine, the FMV is able to carry a crew of four. Extensive engineering was carried out to ensure that the dual functions of firefighting and medical care are combined seamlessly. The fire pump module of the vehicle is housed behind the driver’s cabin. It uses Compressed Air Foam System technology to produce a firefighting medium of water, foam and air that puts out fires with less water while suppressing heat quickly. The rear of the vehicle morphs into a white ambulance cabin that caters space for one stretcher, four seats and various medical equipment, allowing the crew to render crucial first aid to incident victims before other emergency vehicles arrive.
“Merging two mature emergency vehicle systems into one requires a thorough understanding of the user’s needs to ensure that the FMV meets the demands of emergency services,” said Vic Naidu, Head of HOPE Technik’s Special Vehicle Operations. “However, a dense urban environment like Singapore will command more ingenuity to achieve a viable solution and this is what sets HOPE Technik’s FMV apart.”
Light and compact
The FMV stands at about 2.9m high by 2.3m wide and 7.3m long, making it one of the most compact light fire engine and ambulance hybrid emergency vehicle in Asia. Employing efficient vehicle packaging, HOPE Technik’s engineers effectively created multiple compartments to hold various rescue and medical equipment typically found in a light fire engine and an ambulance. It also has a triple extension ladder attached to the vehicle roof that allows firefighters to reach a height up to 6.4m.
Features within the rear ambulance cabin include flush tilt drawers, a medication cooler with a combination lock and a stretcher support system that provides assistance when loading the patient into the vehicle. The stretcher support system comes with lateral, height and tilt adjustment functions, helping to facilitate medical attention while en route to the hospital. Two rotating paramedic seats with flip down backrests for lying casualty conveyance and two rear-facing seats with one integrated child safety seat are also equipped within the cabin.
With the FMV’s concept and schematic design first explored by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the vehicle’s design development, engineering and manufacture was taken on by the Special Vehicle Operations business arm of HOPE Technik. The FMV is built on a Euro 5 Isuzu N-series truck chassis with a customised rear airbag suspension.
