Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad Debuts Newest Ambulance

Featured Photo Courtesy of the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad

Tuesday evening, (January 12, 2021), members of the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad placed their newest ambulance in service. Their new rig is a 2020 Freightliner M2 chassis with a PL Custom Titan ambulance body. This new unit replaces a smaller and older 2012 Ford ambulance, and joins three other ambulances owned and operated by the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad handles around 6,000 medical calls annually, making it the second busiest EMS Station in the County and among the busiest nationally. Their newest ambulance ran its first call, a seizure in Aspen Hill, just 15 minutes after being placed in service for the first time.

According to the Rescue Squad’s Facebook page, on its first night in service, the new ambulance was staffed by volunteer EMTs Rick Allen, Derrick Kimble and Co-Pilot Jacob Gardner.

The WVRS also owns and operates two Heavy Rescue Squads, two Paramedic SUVs, and a off-road UTV for accessing and treating patients inaccessible to traditional ambulances. The new ambulance cost slightly over $300,000 and like all of Wheaton’s fleet, is primarily funded through donations.

The new ambulance was manufactured by PL Custom Emergency Vehicles in Manasquan, New Jersey, and sold by Ron Willet of DPC Emergency Equipment.