First responders, hospitals bring ambulance bus to Fort Worth Specialized vehicle can treat up to 15 patients at a time

Emergency services provider MedStar and the Fort Worth Fire Department have unveiled a new, highly specialized ambulance bus (AMBUS) to be used for the treatment and/or transport up to 15 patients simultaneously during major incidents.

The AMBUS was granted to MedStar from the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council (NCTTRAC) to be used for local, state or national emergencies potentially involving large numbers of patients. The Fort Worth AMBUS is one of four in the region.

“This project is an example of the outstanding relationship between Fort Worth Fire Department and MedStar to help our community, both locally and across the state” said Fort Worth Fire Chief Rudy Jackson, in a release.

John Peter Smith Hospital and Texas Health Resources also donated some of the initial medical equipment to be used on the AMBUS at the request of MedStar last week in the event the AMBUS was requested to deploy as part of a potential response to Hurricane Isaac.

“MedStar was able to apply for and receive the AMBUS because of our partnership with Fort Worth Fire Department,” said Douglas Hooten, executive director of MedStar. “The three-way partnership between MedStar, the FWFD and our local hospitals is a perfect example of how these relationships made a $500,000 asset available to the residents in the region. We are thrilled to be part of this innovative project.”

The AMBUS will be housed at FWFD Station 5. When activated for a medical deployment, it will be driven by FWFD personnel with MedStar providing the medical staff and supplies for the activation.