Is your ambulance Horton Safe?
How safe is your ambulance? In today's ambulance industry nearly everyone is talking about occupant safety. Outrageous claims are being made about safety gimmicks and features, vehicles are being presented at shows as safety solutions, and self-appointed spokespersons are speaking out as authorities. Federal agencies are beginning to attempt to find baseline data on the true nature and extent of the ambulance safety problem. Current KKK specifications do little to address most safety issues. Dynamic testing required for realistic crash data evaluation is not even mentioned.
Testing
means absolutely
nothing without instrumentation, documentation and outside verification. Horton relies on all these methods to get the most accurate information from
each test.
The discussion raises the question "How can any manufacturer make legitimate safety claims without extensive testing to document and prove the efficacy of the product?" Making claims is not enough -- there must be a burden of proof.
At Horton Emergency Vehicles we believe in testing, and over the past 35 years we have been willing to fund the programs that we believe are necessary to prove our product's integrity. We have conducted Hygee sled testing to check body mounting, door closure systems, cabinet integrity, body structure, oxygen cylinder mounting, and a myriad of other items. We know what happens at impacts of 20G's, 30 G's even 35 G's. We continue to conduct SAE testing for cabin integrity, seating and seat belt installations. Direct impact destructive testing tells us exactly what happens inside and outside the vehicle when accident type forces are applied. Instrumented mannequins provide feedback on possible injury situations and help with design solutions in both present and future vehicles.
The next time someone presents a safety gimmick to you, ask them "How do I know it works?" You'll be surprised at the answers or lack thereof. Ask yourself if you can afford to put your staff and your patient in an unproven vehicle.
At Horton Emergency Vehicles your safety is both our concern and our responsibility. We take it seriously and invest heavily to continue to learn and find honest, legitimate solutions. Peace of mind is standard equipment. It's part of what you pay for when you buy a Horton.
