MAST-EMS Open House Displays "Green" Ambulances

Travis of MAST-EMS was our most-gracious host today as we took advantage of a public "open house" to view MAST's spacious facilities on Eastwood Trafficway west of I-435.

First off- Travis told us that according to some national EMS standards recently released- MAST-EMS is number one of all large-city paramedic operations- recently beating out Seattle Fire-EMS for the top spot.

Another thing Travis told us is that the MAST-EMS building itself is a trauma center in the event there is ever a large-scale causality event in Kansas City.


On display was one of MAST's new workhorses of Kansas City's EMS/paramedic service: heavy-duty Chevrolet ambulances with state-of-the art patient care equipment and communications electronics.

The new paramedic units also happen to run on 90% vegetable oil.

That's right- instead of pure diesel- these larger and better riding units run on a mix of 90% vegetable oil and only 10% diesel (the latter added only to keep the veggie fuel from gelling).

The patient treatment and storage areas on the new Chevys are also larger- and the suspension system on the new rigs allows for a smoother ride for paramedics- EMT's and most importantly- the patient.

Also- notice no front light-bar or "cherry tops." See that row of white lenses above the cab along the top of the patient "box?" Those are color-changing LED's.

The LED's use much less power- run cooler and are brighter than the old-fashioned lights.

The entire fleet of more than 60 ambulances will soon be replaced by the new units.

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