Ambulance Remounts – A Discussion

As Shakespeare once wrote, to remount, or not to remount, that is the question. Actually his version was far more existential, but the question still stands for many EMS and Fire services. The answer, as it is for so many other questions is, it depends. Which One Are You?! Generally speaking, people fall into one of three camps regarding remounts.  Why So Negative? We know why so many departments shy away from remounting. Decision makers have been burned over the years by shoddy workmanship, ridiculous delivery times, questionable sales tactics, and more. Experiences like that would make it difficult for anyone to get super excited about the possibility of adding remounts to an overall fleet strategy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s look at some of the arguments FOR remounting. Moneyball First and foremost among the elements to consider is budget. Many Frazer customers have saved meaningful dollars over the year as a result of a consistent remount program. Dollars spent on the chassis will be identical for a new or remounted module. Depending on the age and condition of your existing module, a remounted module can run as little as half the cost of a new module. Plus, at Frazer, our remounts travel down the same production line as our new units, so you get craftsmanship from experienced installers who know the module construction inside and out. We have been remounting our own Frazer modules for over 30 years, so we definitely know what we’re doing. Our design approach makes this particularly easy as the separate source of power means we don’t have to disentangle the module from the chassis and then redo that process. And unless there’s been some sort of serious damage to the module, our tough, durable materials last for years. It’s Green! That durability also means you get to reuse the vast majority of the components on your module. There’s nothing greener than reusing something that’s perfectly good!  And when we’re done it’s virtually impossible to tell a remount from a new unit. There are always some tell-tale signs, but you really have to know what you’re looking for. In fact, we’ve had potential customers find themselves shocked upon finding out a vehicle they thought was brand new was actually a remounted module built 5 to 10 years ago or more.  While many departments have found themselves dissatisfied with a remount that just perpetuates the problems they were already experiencing, Frazer customers get the same reliability and performance they were already enjoying. And for less money. We also see numerous municipalites take the old chassis and repurpose it for use in a department that may have a specific need for a solid chassis that may simply be high mileage.  But What About All The New Stuff? From time to time improved components become available and lots of our customers will invest in upgrading those during the remount process (think strobes to LEDs, or new cot systems). However, if the rest of your rig just needs a little cosmetic TLC, there’s absolutely no reason to not continue using a perfectly good, well constructed module through another purchase cycle. We’ve worked out the engineering to incorporate all the cool new stuff. It’s just a matter of pricing. So Yeah, It Depends Maybe your department operates in a community with sufficient resources that allow for buying new through every purchase cycle. We have plenty of customers where that’s the case. If so, it’s quite likely that trading in or selling your used vehicle is the preferred course of action.  If, however, your budgets are a little tighter and you’re trying to maximize every dollar, we can confidently recommend the remount process as an excellent tool at your disposal. If you’re sort of on the fence about the whole process and want to get some more information, please call one of our Sales Team at 888-372-9371. They can walk you through the steps and get you in contact with many of our existing customers who have taken advantage of remounts over the years. Or you can click here to read more.

All About EMS Vehicles Remounts

Emergency medical service vehicles, more commonly referred to as EMS vehicles, are designed specifically to take on the challenges of providing care to critically injured or sick individuals on the way to the hospital or other health care provider. For aging vehicles or those that have sustained serious damage in a crash or other incident, remounts can provide a new lease on life and a convenient way for agencies to save money over the cost of a brand-new vehicle. Here are some important points to remember about remounts for your emergency medical service vehicle.  What Is a Remount?  EMS vehicles include a chassis, cab, engine and an array of components designed to help emergency services personnel to provide safe and effective care for their patients. A remount involves removing the EMS module from the current cab and chassis and installing it on a new cab and chassis. In some cases, your remount specialist will also renovate and refurbish the EMS module to ensure functionality for your agency.  Services Included in Most EMS Remounts  Companies that provide remounts for EMS vehicles typically include the following services in the process: A full inspection of the frame and connections for the EMS module  Removal of the EMS module from the current chassis and transfer to a newer chassis and cab  Extension of the exhaust pipe to ensure proper fit for the EMS module Alignment and suspension checks for the new chassis and cab  Inspection and possible replacement of bumpers, light housings and door mechanisms and switches  Replacement of main front wiring harness for hookup to the new cab  Painting and finishing of exterior surfaces  Replacement of cables, wiring and fuses as needed  Replacement of all warning lights and signals to ensure optimal safety  Installation of consoles to control sirens and flashing light signals  Assessment of all systems within the EMS module, including the oxygen system, the heating and cooling system, thermostats, cot mounting hardware and flooring  Assessment of interior cabinets Your used ambulance dealer can provide you with expert guidance on effective strategies for your EMS remount.  At Frazer, we offer customized remount services for EMS modules that can help your agency make an effective investment. If your chassis is beginning to show the telltale signs of age and wear, our remount services are an ideal way to save money while ensuring the greatest safety and utility for first responders. Give us a call today at 1-888-372-9371 to request a quote and to discuss your options with our expert technicians. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

Safety Standards for Emergency Medical Service Vehicle Remounts

Making sure that emergency medical service vehicles are up to the challenges of the first response field can be a challenging task. Remounts and upgrades must be performed to demanding industry standards to ensure that patients receive punctual care and practical transportation solutions in emergency situations. Whether your organization is creating a mobile stroke unit or any other variety of emergency medical service vehicle, working with a trusted company can help you to achieve a greater degree of confidence in the quality of your upgrades and remounts.  Applicable Standards  Emergency medical service vehicle remounts and upgrades are subject to a number of standards established by federal agencies and other organizations. Some of the most important of these standards include the following: All vehicles licensed for travel on public streets and highways must meet the minimum requirements established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  The KKK-A-1822 specification set forth by the General Services Administration includes basic minimum parameters for warning signals, weight limits, electrical system setups and overall construction requirements.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established the NFPA 1917 standard set that includes seat-belt monitoring systems, speed governors and carbon monoxide detectors. This standard builds on and expands the requirements listed in KKK-A-1822.  The Ground Vehicle Standard does not currently offer direct recommendations for emergency medical service vehicles. Beginning in 2019, however, this standard is expected to provide guidance for remounts and upgrades to these types of vehicles.  Virginia is the first state to enact standards and requirements for remounting emergency service vehicles. Using test results from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Society of Automotive Engineers, Virginia has established one of the most demanding and rigorous standards for remounters and each used ambulance dealer in the state. Brackets and mounting fixtures like those offered by Technimount Systems can improve safety and ensure the greatest possible interconnectivity between medical equipment and the vehicles used for emergency medical transport.  At Frazer, Ltd., we offer a wide range of remounting services for emergency medical service vehicles. We carry Technimount Systems products for easy configuration and installation of your mobile health equipment. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced experts will work with you to ensure that you receive cost-effective and practical solutions for all your remount requirements. Call us today at 1-888-372-9371 to request a quote or to schedule an appointment with us. We look forward to serving your emergency medical service remount or replacement needs.