Ambus available to East Texans in case of disaster, mass casualties

KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

EAST TEXAS (KYTX) – There’s a new tool to help East Texans if disaster strikes the area or in a mass casualty accident.

This is called an “Am-bus”– a bus that functions as an ambulance.

It can hold 20 patients and 6 EMT’s to help care for them.

Also on board, are cardiac monitors, defibrillators, oxygen and basic medical necessities.

The Ambus is supported by the Department of State Health Services, the Northeast Texas Regional Advisory Council and the Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council.

“We can use it to support medical operations, to support the fire departments, or we can support a tornado response and things of that nature.”

“We can use it to support medical operations, to support the fire departments, or we can support a tornado response and things of that nature,” said Bobby Buchanan, Emergency Medical Task Force Reg. 4 Coordinator

The Ambus serves 27 Northeast Texas counties and is housed at Palestine Regional Medical Center.

There are 13 in the state– ready to respond in an emergency