Author: UK Emergency Vehicles

A line-up of WYMAS ambulances outside Leeds General Infirmary.

A WYMAS Volvo rapid response car driver chats to his colleagues in a traditional emergency ambulance.

A line-up of London Ambulance Service vehicles at Biggin Hill. This and the next three pictures were kindly donated by Barry O'Sullivan.

This is a LAS control vehicle, for use at major incidents. It's control status is shown by the checker markings around the edge of the roof.

This ex-St. John Ford Transit conversion ambulance has had some odd changes made to it! These include 'ambulance' being replaced with 'ambience' and graffiti-style paintwork added. The rear view of the same C-registration vehicle, showing the art work on the rear doors. It is believed that the ambulance is being used for advertising by a private owner.

This is a Mitshubishi Shogun Pinin that would be used for rapid response duties. It's lack of crest indicates that it is a private ambulance service vehicle.

The Welsh Ambulance Service operates this Vauxhall Monterey 4x4. It is again used for rapid response duties.

Here is a new Ford Transit that is a demonstration vehicle for Modular Ambulance, a British Ambulance coachbuilder.

This is a 2002 Mercedes Vaneo patient transport vehicle. Based on the A-Class, the lengthened wheelbase and larger back means that it is a compact yet capable people carrier.

Here is a British built Honda Civic in a generic ambulance service livery. It is intended for rapid response duties.

Renault vans have been used for the base of ambulances since the 1980's. This picture shows the latest generation of their diesel powered Master van.

This East Anglian service Mercedes displays its all over day glow yellow colour scheme.

Iveco were the first company to offer diesel-engined ambulances that were able to meet the strict performance requirements. This is an incident support unit, which houses its own computer system. Another view of an Iveco Daily diesel powered ambulance.

This Honda CRV has the benefits of being able to go off road and carry a large amount of medical equipment. Note the tiny blue flashing lights on the lower corners on the bumper of this Honda CRV.

Here we have an MCC Smart Car. It is powered by a 3 cylinder 660cc turbo-charged engine that can produce up to 85 bhp. When this is combined with its light weight, it means that the vehicle is swift. However, this car is only a two seater and has only a small amount of room for medical equipment. The price of nearly £10,000 will deter many fleet buyers as well.

This Iveco Daily demonstrator ambulance is powered by a 146 bhp 2.8 litre common rail turbo-charged diesel engine. Combined with a six speed gearbox, it gives a top speed of just under 100 mph.

The Renault Megane Scenic RX4 shares similar attributes to the Honda CRV. It is both capable on and off road. The primary role of this vehicle is again for rapid response duties. In rural areas or in winter the advantage of having four wheel drive will be life saving.

Mercedes provide the basis for this vehicle that has been converted by JAKAB (UK) who are specialist vehicle body builders. Note the strange positioning of the blue flashing lights on the vehicles bonnet.

Fiat provided this new Stilo in the livery of a first response vehicle. By mounting the flashing lights on a roof rack, it means that there are less holes in the body work when the vehicle is sold on. The highly reflective rear colour scheme can clearly be seen on this photograph.

Birmingham based LDV displayed this Convoy minibus in LAS livery. It has the advantage of being highly accessible, with a rear wheel chair lift and a side door.

The Scottish Ambulance Service has bought several of this type of Mercedes vehicle. It has a high output diesel engine, four wheel drive and adjustable height air suspension.

This radio controlled ambulance was part of a demonstration for Auto-Eject. This company provides electrical equipment for ambulances.

Photographed in a car park, this is a Volvo V70 Cross Country. It has a turbocharged five cylinder petrol engine and four wheel drive.

Another East Anglian ambulance similar to the one above. All ambulances will soon have to be this day glow yellow colour to meet European requirements.

This Ford Transit ambulance differs from the one at the top of the page by having a narrower back on the vehicle. It also has a sliding side loading door and a different roof light arrangement.

Mercedes also provide ambulances with a six speed sequential gearboxes and clutch less transmissions. This makes it ideal for driving in stop start conditions such as in busy towns.

This Volvo V40 estate can carry large amounts of medical equipment safely. It is also quick, with a turbo-charged four cylinder petrol engine. A front view of the vehicle. As this is a demonstrator vehicle, it has a limited amount of operational markings.

The Volvo S80 provides the basis for this strange looking ambulance. The chassis has been extended by one metre prior to the fitment of the composite ambulance body. It is supposed to be more car like than van like to drive. This particular model was fitted with such luxuries as an automatic transmission, leather seats and even a walnut dashboard!

This Volvo has many special features to note. It is designed to carry an emergency medical team including doctors. Specialist equipment can be stored in the roof box which is also has many small blue flashing lights on it.

The multitude of radio and electrical equipment can be seen on the inside of this Ford Mondeo. Equipment included radios, a mobile phone and a satellite navigation system. Here we can see the distinctive livery of the same vehicle. It is operated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. The car is fitted with a roof mounted bar set of lights. This is complemented by a blue flashing light on the grill where the Ford badge usually goes. There is also a dashboard mounted blue flashing light.

Here we have a Ford Focus Zetec limited edition that is operated by Lifeline Medical Transport Service. They specialise in medical logistics and the transport of urgent medical supplies. The lights and the signs can be removed from the vehicle.

Also operated by Lifeline is this Volkswagen Transporter Ambulance. Note the orange roof mounted light so it can be used on airfields and the personalised number plate.

This Vauxhall Frontera is operated by TENYAS. It is used by a senior officer and was photographed at the service's headquarters.

It is quite a contrast to the unmarked silver example that the service also operates.

Here we have a rather tired looking Bedford Midi van. It is operated by the North Yorkshire branch of the British Red Cross. Judging by the rust, it seems likely that this vehicle will be replaced soon.

This K registration Peugeot 405 is used by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. It is used for travel to promotional or fundraising events in.

A Citroen MPV from a private ambulance service called 'Central Ambulance'. This service is based next to Manchester Airport and has a contract to provide first aid support to BBC outdoor events.

A Mercedes Benz ambulance from the WYMAS. Due to the ruling that almost all emergency vehicles have to be battenburg marked, the familiar 'heartbeat' livery of West Yorkshire's ambulances has been superseeded. This 2001 ambulance has active suspension fitted. A comfortable, stable ride is observed when the vehicle is in motion. When parked, the rear of the ambulance can be lowered and the ramp deployed to aid access. Also observe the way the blue and signal lights are an integral part of the bodywork.

42 AKH A Ford Galaxy private ambulance. This minimally marked vehicle is owned by a dentist called Archie who works in Selby. It is quite rare to see an ambulance with a personalised registration plate - AKH are Archie's initials. The vehicle can carry a patient lying flat on a stretcher and also carries basic medical equipment.

A Terratorial Army Land Rover Defender, with bodywork to expand the height and width inside. Observe the camoflaged siren unit, army registration plate, roof mounted spare wheel (instead of bonnet mounted) and minimalist blue lights. Inside the patient end of the above Land Rover. It look as basic as a barn with all of the equipment removed, but is no doubt a welcome sight to sick or injured soldiers. Notice that there seems to be a plethora of yellow warning stickers and a very small access door to the cab. When non-operational, the vehicle can be used as a normal transport vehicle for troops. That is why the red cross on the side has a fold down flap to cover it up (also so as not to contravene the Geneva Convention, running soldiers around under the red cross).

A WYMAS (West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service) VW ambulance with Collet bodywork. This vehicle is being used at a horse racecourse to follow the jockeys as they race to pick up any injuries. Notice the orange rotating beacon on the roof which is used to comply with the CAA's (Civil Aviation Authority's) rule that all vehicles on an airfield should display such a flashing light. the vehicle in use, with the horses racing in the background.

A St John Ambulance Range Rover. This vehicle which was new in 1989 has undergone a few changes since first being used by St John's. It was first spotted in 1996 when it had a different livery (just a yellow stripe up the side). In 1999 it had it's current livery, and by 2002 it had grown two repeater blue lights on the front grille. In this photograph, it is being used in a pro-active role at a racecourse. It has a the winch on the front, and has just been fitted with a new exhaust.

A TENYAS VW Collet. Notice that the colour scheme and rear doors are significantly different to the neighbouring WYMAS ambulance (above). The side view, showing the differing heights of the roof blue-light bars.

The rear view of the aged Renault incubator unit. TENYAS have not re-liveried this vehicle because it's nearing the end of its working life. It still has the defunct 'North Yorkshire Ambulance' writing on it.

A private doctor's service car and private ambulance belonging to UK Event Safety. Both vehicles are being used in a pro-active role at a rallying event. The ambulance has an American style body with American style livery and lights in every conceivable location. It also has a UK cherished registration of AMB 999W.

A 1992 Ford Transit Incident Support Vehicle from Humberside Ambulance Service. It has few markings by modern standards and was photographed at TENYAS's HQ at Skelton, near York.

A J-reg Land Rover Discovery at the St. John's Chapel station of the NEAS in rural Weardale. This vehicle is showing signs of it's age with the livery flaking off. The side and rear view. Despite its condition, this ambulance is ideal for travelling long distances to emergencies in the Wear valley. It is faster than a conventional ambulance and carries all of the essential equipment, including a stretcher.

A Norfolk Priority Care Vauxhall Astra response unit ambulance car. The vehicle was originally used by Norfolk Constabulary.