Caledonia puts modern rescue squad in service

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Saturday, December 19, 1998 3:00 AM CST

BY MARCI LAEHR TENUTA Journal Times

photo by Liana J. Cooper

CALEDONIA Residents this week may have noticed the Caledonia Fire Department's latest addition to the fleet a burgundy and red-striped ambulance featuring a 1999 chassis.

``It's the newest, most modern rescue squad in the entire county," Caledonia Town Board Chairman Dennis Kornwolf said. ``We're very proud of it."

Fire Chief Peter Waselchuk said the ambulance also is equipped with a patient care area called the medical box which features a back capable of lowering for smoother and easier patient loading.

Waselchuk said the new squad was designed by a specification committee made up of officers and paramedics and headed by Lt. Shawn Murphy.

``As long as they have to work in it, we figured we would let them design it," Waselchuk said. ``All I got to pick out was the colors."

The new ambulance appears monstrous when compared to the older models stored in the town's fire station #2 on Douglas Avenue. The front end of the new unit had the appearance of a tractor-trailer in contrast to the van-build of the older squads.

The inside of the medical box is large, shiny and sterile. Overhead compartments store medical supplies while built-in counter top spaces hold machinery. ``It looks like an emergency room, doesn't it?" Waselchuk asked.

``We think this is better able to meet the needs of the community," he said. ``The patient department gives us a great deal of room, now that we're providing emergency medical services to the community. Compared to the old squads, we can provide all kinds of advanced medical services with the new one."

Waselchuk said the new chassis also is expected to last a lot longer than the older model squads. He said the typical rescue units last about five years. ``I'm in favor of this style," Waselchuk said. ``It's a heavier duty chassis and box. There is much less wear and tear on the mechanics. It's just more durable."

The new squad cost $96,000.

Waselchuk said a generous donation given by Royce and Barbara Meyers allowed the fire department to equip the new medical box with the necessary machinery. The defibrillator and stock equipment was purchased with the donation. ``It really helped us get up and running," he said.

The local fire department has had the new unit in service since Wednesday. A team of three of paramedics and emergency medical technicians is assigned to the squad.

Caledonia emergency medical technician Kent Herrick said the new unit rides better than the other squads do. He said the new rescue unit can get up to 70 mph, but ``you don't want something like this going too fast."

Waselchuk said the new squad will be used by Caledonia's main paramedic unit. A second paramedic unit will soon also serve the town from the new joint fire station with Mount Pleasant in Franksville.

``By June of 1999 we will have two paramedic units operating all the time," Waselchuk said.

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