Editing Ambulance (section)

==Vehicle types==

Ambulances can be based on many types of vehicle although emergency and [[disaster]] conditions may lead to other vehicles serving as makeshift ambulances:
* '''Van''' or '''[[pickup truck]]''' – A typical general-purpose ambulance is based on either the chassis of a van ("vanbulance") or a light-duty truck. This chassis is then modified to the designs and specifications of the purchaser. Vans may either retain their original body and be upfitted inside, or may be based on a chassis without the original body with a modular box body fitted instead. Those based on pickup trucks almost always have modular bodies. Those vehicles intended for especially [[Intensive care medicine|intensive care]] or require a large amount of equipment to be carried may be based on medium-duty trucks.
* '''Car''' – Used either as a [[fly-car]] for rapid response<ref name=essexcar/> or to transport patients who can sit, these are standard car models adapted to the requirements of the service using them. Some cars are capable of taking a [[stretcher]] with a recumbent patient, but this often requires the removal of the front passenger seat, or the use of a particularly long car. This was often the case with early ambulances, which were converted (or even serving) [[hearse]]s, as these were some of the few vehicles able to accept a human body in a [[supine position]]. Some operators use modular-body transport ambulances based on the chassis of a [[minivan]] or [[station wagon]].
* '''Motorcycle and motor scooter''' – In urban areas, these may be used for rapid response in an emergency<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/dynamicpage.php?pagerec=60 |title=South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust – About Us |access-date=18 October 2009 |publisher=South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303174744/http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/dynamicpage.php?pagerec=60 |archive-date=3 March 2009}}</ref> as they can travel through heavy traffic much faster than a car or van. [[Trailer (vehicle)|Trailer]]s or [[sidecar]]s can make these patient transporting units.<ref name=motor1>{{cite web|url=http://www.tnn.co.uk/WorldwideNews/plonearticle.2006-07-04.2967165399 |title=News Reference to Motorcycle Trailer Ambulance |access-date=2 June 2007 |publisher=TNN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927160815/http://www.tnn.co.uk/WorldwideNews/plonearticle.2006-07-04.2967165399 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref><ref name=motor2>{{cite web|url=http://www.ittransport.co.uk/documents/Bicycleambulance.pdf|title=Motorcycle Trailer-Ambulance Brochure|publisher=IT Transport LTD|access-date=2 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614021104/http://www.ittransport.co.uk/documents/Bicycleambulance.pdf|archive-date=14 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Bicycle''' – Used for response, but usually in pedestrian-only areas where large vehicles find access difficult.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/two-wheeled_medics_cover_more.aspx |title=Two-wheeled medics cover more ground in the capital |access-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427033036/http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/two-wheeled_medics_cover_more.aspx |archive-date=27 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/square_mile_cycle-paramedics_b.aspx |title=Square-Mile cycle paramedics become the new City-Slickers |access-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427033022/http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/square_mile_cycle-paramedics_b.aspx |archive-date=27 April 2011}}</ref> Like the motorcycle ambulance, a bicycle may be connected to a trailer for patient transport, most often in the developing world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designfordevelopment.org/activities/bike_ambulance.html|title=Bike Ambulance Project|publisher=Design for Development|date=20 July 2005|access-date=14 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928191033/http://www.designfordevelopment.org/activities/bike_ambulance.html|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[All-terrain vehicle]]''' – Used for response off-road,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quadtech.co.uk/index.php?section_id=100|title=Information on Quadtech EMS quad|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=Quadtech}}</ref> especially at events or in remote areas. ATVs can be modified to carry a stretcher, and are used for tasks such as [[mountain rescue]] in inaccessible areas.
* '''[[Golf cart]]''' or '''[[Neighborhood Electric Vehicle]]''' – Used for rapid response at events<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diversifiedgolfcars.com/standardambulance.htm|title=EMS golf cart brochure|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=Diversified Golf Cars |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070405122944/http://www.diversifiedgolfcars.com/standardambulance.htm |archive-date = 5 April 2007}}</ref> or on campuses. These function similarly to ATVs, with less rough terrain capability and less noise.
* '''Bus''' – In some cases, buses can be used to transport multiple casualties, either for the purposes of taking patients on journeys,<ref name="jumbulance" /> in the context of [[Disaster response|major incidents]], or to deal with specific problems such as drunken patients in town centers.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 December 2008 |title=Ambulance crews prepare for party night pressure |url=http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/ambulance_crews_prepare_for_p.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202825/http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/ambulance_crews_prepare_for_p.aspx |archive-date=3 March 2016 |publisher=London Ambulance Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 2007 |title=Aboard the 'Booze Bus' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7147646.stm |access-date=1 January 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref> They are sometimes referred to as [[ambulance bus]]es.
* '''[[Helicopter]]''' – Usually used for emergency care, either in places inaccessible by road, or in areas where speed is of the essence, as they are able to travel significantly faster than a road ambulance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/business/15658.aspx |title=Highways Agency – Air Ambulance |access-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603213633/http://www.highways.gov.uk/business/15658.aspx |archive-date=3 June 2009}}</ref> Helicopter and fixed-wing ambulances are discussed in greater detail at [[air ambulance]].
* '''[[Fixed-wing aircraft]]''' – These can be used for either acute emergency care in remote areas (such as in Australia, with the '[[Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia|Flying Doctors]]'<ref name=Flying>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyingdoctor.net/|title=Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612073357/http://www.flyingdoctor.net/|archive-date=12 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>), for patient transport over long distances (e.g. a re-patriation following an illness or injury in a foreign country<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heathrowairambulance.com/repatriation.html|title=Heathrow Air Ambulance Service|access-date=2 June 2007|publisher=Heathrow air ambulance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617031304/http://heathrowairambulance.com/repatriation.html|archive-date=17 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>), or transportation between distant hospitals. Helicopter and fixed-wing ambulances are discussed in greater detail at [[air ambulance]].
* '''Boat''' – Boats can be used to serve as [[water ambulance]]s, especially in island areas<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/3181602.stm|title=Islanders to get Ambulance Boat|publisher=BBC|access-date=18 October 2009 | date=10 October 2003}}</ref> or in areas with a large number of canals. Some [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]]s or [[lifeguard]] vessels may fit the description of an ambulance as they are used to transport a casualty.
* '''Train''' – In remote or hard-to-reach areas that are accessed primarily by [[railway]] connections, [[train]]s may be used to provide medical care as a mobile treatment facility or transport patients to better care in more accessible areas. These are generally called [[hospital train]]s.
* '''Trailer''' – In some instances, a [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailer]], which can be towed behind a self-propelled vehicle, can be used as an ambulance. This permits flexibility in areas with minimal access to vehicles, such as on small islands.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Information – Medical Services |url=http://www.sark.info/index.cfm?fuseaction=gov.content&cmid=552 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217064132/http://www.sark.info/index.cfm?fuseaction=gov.content&cmid=552 |archive-date=17 February 2012 |publisher=Isle of Sark Government}}</ref>
* '''Horse and cart''' – More traditional form of transport, mostly seen in [[Developing country|developing economies]].
* '''[[Fire engine]]''' – Fire services (especially in North America) often train firefighters to respond to medical emergencies and most apparatuses carry at least basic medical supplies. By design, most apparatuses cannot transport patients unless they can sit in the cab. However, some fire trucks may be designed to have a large ambulance compartment behind the front of the cab, where the driver and officer's seats are located.

=== Vehicle type gallery ===
<gallery>
File:Washington DC Fire Department Ambulance 1.jpg|A [[Navistar]] truck ambulance operated by the [[District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department]]
File:ToyotaHiaceKKM.jpg|A [[Toyota HiAce]] van ambulance operated by the [[Malaysia]] [[Ministry of Health (Malaysia)|Ministry of Health]]
File:Notarzt Lübeck.jpg|An [[Volkswagen Transporter (T6)]] [[nontransporting EMS vehicle]] carrying an [[Emergency physician]]
File:Ambulance Motorbike (29274193644).jpg|A [[Honda ST series]] [[motorcycle ambulance]] operated by the [[London Ambulance Service]]
File:NHS bicycle.jpg|A [[Cycle responder|paramedic bicycle]] operated by the London Ambulance Service
File:2019 - Pol’and’Rock (029) Medyczny Patrol quadem.jpg|An [[all-terrain vehicle]] ambulance with a [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailer]] operated by the [[Pol'and'Rock Festival]]'s Medical Patrol
File:GRTW BFHB.JPG|A [[MAN Lion's City]] operated by the [[Bremen]] [[Feuerwehr]]
File:Zepper-BK 117-C2-(EC145)-SchweizerischeRettungsflugwacht.jpg|A [[Eurocopter EC145]] helicopter [[air ambulance]] operated by [[Rega (air rescue)|Rega]]
File:Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Central Operations (VH-FGS) Pilatus PC-12-45 at Wagga Wagga Airport.jpg|A [[Pilatus PC-12]] plane air ambulance operated by the [[Royal Flying Doctor Service]]
File:Eyr Ytterholmen.jpg|A [[water ambulance]] operated by the [[Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue]]
File:Surgeon Nikolay Pirogov 9.jpg|The "Surgeon [[Nikolay Pirogov]]" [[hospital train]] operated by [[Russian Railways]]
</gallery>