Big Emergency

Ambulances and recue trucks are getting bigger – literally.

Hopefully you won’t need an ambulance any time soon – but if you do – there may be plenty of room in there. According to Captain Jose Archila, of Boston’s Emergency Medical Services fleet, ambulances and rescue vehicles are being modified around the country to accommodate the growing number of obese passengers. Stretchers, hospital beds and wheelchairs are getting bigger and sturdier too. He says their new super-sized vehicles and equipment can handle patients weighing up to 1,600 pounds – and are needed 3 or 4 times a week.