Why medical crews need off-road vehicles

Standard Ukrainian ambulance

Standard off-road vehicle

As the war in Ukraine enters the cold and wet Fall and Winter season, it has become vital for first response and medical workers to be equipped with adequate means of transportation. It is crucial for the completion of their work, and saves lives.

For example, a standard minibus type of ambulance (see top photo) that Ukrainian EMTs widely use has some drawbacks. It does not have the proper controls to pick up wounded civilians and soldiers in off-road and muddy locations; it was never meant to be used under these circumstances. Even newer, Western ambulance models donated by other countries may not succeed in this environment - a minibus is simply not fit for field, off-road and harsh weather use. Furthermore, an ambulance vehicle is a fully staffed one, with multiple medical professionals on board. When an ambulance goes to the frontline to pick up wounded people, it often comes under shelling, and the entire medical crew is at risk.

On the other hand, if one sends several “pickup” style vehicles (see bottom photo) to the same location, with one or two EMTs on board, these vehicles will be able to get to the location faster, sometimes even twice as fast. A pickup truck is specifically designed for off-road use, and has other advantages over a minibus ambulance - larger wheels, better suspension, and a 4-wheel drivetrain. A pickup truck also has a larger engine and therefore a much higher maximum speed than an ambulance. It handles better and substantially faster in muddy off-road conditions and fields. Furthermore, with a pickup truck, there is no need to have the whole medical team on board. To put it simply - wounded people would get to a clinic or a nearby hospital faster if a pickup truck comes to retrieve them instead of a standard ambulance.

We are currently raising funds for several pickup trucks for frontline first-responders. You can contribute to this cause by visiting our Donate page.