Ambulance service fits tyres with ’snow socks’
By Denna Bowman
South Central Ambulance Service has taken some positive steps to avoid a repeat of the problems its vehicles had getting around in the snow last winter.
It has bought special fabric ’snow socks’ to fit over the tyres on its ambulances to improve traction and doubled its amount of 4×4s on the roads.
The service, which covers Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire, announced its plans as snow and ice is forecast to hit the region over the next week.
John Dyer, from the service, said: “Obviously last winter was a very trying time for us but we have used the months since then to really improve our preparedness.
“There were two problems last year, getting around was very difficult and also slips, trips and falls that generated a lot of calls from the public.
“We’ve looked at traction devices for ambulances and purchased a large amount of snow socks which can be put on tyres quickly for traction and removed when the conditions are better.
“We looked at snow tyres for the fleet but ambulances have to be taken off the road to get them fitted and again when they are removed.”
Number: Z8037079
Reg: NKF419
