Essex-Windsor EMS is getting seven new ambulances including, for the first time, some hybrid vehicles.
Essex County Council approved last week spending $1.3-million to replace seven older ambulances.
EMS Chief Bruce Krauter says included in the new purchase will be five gas powered traditional ambulances and two hybrid versions.
One hybrid will be tested in the county and the other in the city to check on their efficiencies.
They will also be equipped with power load lifting devices to help paramedics lifting patients in and out of the ambulances. It was instituted five years ago which has greatly reduced paramedics' shoulder and back injuries by 85% related to stretcher-lifting.
Krauter says it isn't new technology.
"Oxford County, up in the Woodstock area, they started about two years ago," he says. "Toronto EMS has started introducing hybrid ambulances into their fleet, as well as British Columbia and we thought it was best to start to introduce them into our fleet."
Krauter says the older ambulances are about five years old with between 250,000-300,000 kilometers.
"So they are very much near the end of their life cycle," he adds.
The new ambulances should be in service in April.
Essex-Windsor EMS has 39 ambulances in its fleet.