Has anyone seen this ambulance?
- Thread starter Rick Duffy
- Start date
"Amber Alert" - stolen, or missing?
Your post sounds tongue-in-cheek, and I'm not sure how to interpret the
...please clarify.
Your post sounds tongue-in-cheek, and I'm not sure how to interpret the
...please clarify.
Haven't seen it, but I did find Rescue 8.. click here..
Where is/was it from?
Rick Duffy
PCS Past President 2010 - 2012
My first ambulance corps!
Here's the scoop...
Most of it told to me by former PCS member Andy Blenko, from Pittsburgh... and the person I blame for a 40 year career in EMS~
This Superior was actually the second ambulance purchased by a small volunteer squad in Pittsburgh's "East Hills," covering the communities of Wilkins Township and Churchill Borough.
The squad, known as Rescue One, or Wilkins-Churchill Rescue One.
Today we affectionately refer to it as WCRO (154.13 on your radio dial) or "ChurchKins" making fun of my service Foxwall EMS, covering Fox Chapel and Aspinwall Boroughs.
When the service began, it's first ambulance was a 1971 Chevy Suburban (National conversion) sold by Conaway Coach, in Markleysburg, PA.
Tragically, on July 5th 1971, while transporting a "heart attack" patient from his residence to a nearby hospital, the unit became suddenly engulfed in flames.
This was apparently an oxygen fueled fire, that killed the ambulance driver (David Blausen, who lived for a month, but died of burns) and the (unknown) patient.
This incident somewhat mirrored the Apollo 1 "Launch Pad" fire in 1966, that claimed the lives of 3 astronauts, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Ed White and Rodger Chaffee.
It was later determined, (but possibly never proven) that the fire was caused by the main oxygen tank (hose) being ruptured or laterally split and creating a very high, oxygen rich environment. That's when the fire began.
It was also suspected that oxygen was the source or fuel. The main oxygen tank was bracketed behind the driver's seat (horizontally) with the hose running through the partition wall, at a 90 degree angle. When the crew required oxygen for a patient, the driver would reach behind him and turn on the main tank, using a wheel valve or a lever.
It was thought that the constant movement of the seat for different drivers, height, length etc. (possibly) weakened the hose over time, causing the split or rupture.
It's unknown just what sparked the fire (possibly friction from escaping oxygen) or whether the ambulance may have exploded as a result. In any event, the unit left the road, either intentionally or unintentionally, striking a tree and finally stopping.
At some point, the 3 man crew of Churchill police officer, Rich James, Attendant Brian Hill and Attendant Bill Barnes, either jumped or were ejected from the rear of the Suburban, all suffering moderate injuries.
It is not known whether the patient was in cardiac arrest at the time, died from his "heart attack" or succumbed to the fire.
The Superior ambulance pictured was purchased from Pfundt Superior Sales in Lower Burrell, PA in February of 1972 and was the first ambulance that I worked in as a volunteer. During the interim, loaners were used to continue service.
This 54" Superior remained in-service, faithfully serving until 1979, when it was replaced by a pair of Ford Type II vans. (Yankee Coach Conversion)
Anyway... I'd love to find this car, IF it's still around. The last anyone knew, it was being used in Ohio, as a transport vehicle for a nursing home.
Any help finding her would be MOST appreciated.
Over and Out!
Rick
AKA Mr. X
Here's the scoop...
Most of it told to me by former PCS member Andy Blenko, from Pittsburgh... and the person I blame for a 40 year career in EMS~
This Superior was actually the second ambulance purchased by a small volunteer squad in Pittsburgh's "East Hills," covering the communities of Wilkins Township and Churchill Borough.
The squad, known as Rescue One, or Wilkins-Churchill Rescue One.
Today we affectionately refer to it as WCRO (154.13 on your radio dial)
or "ChurchKins" making fun of my service Foxwall EMS, covering Fox Chapel and Aspinwall Boroughs. When the service began, it's first ambulance was a 1971 Chevy Suburban (National conversion) sold by Conaway Coach, in Markleysburg, PA.
Tragically, on July 5th 1971, while transporting a "heart attack" patient from his residence to a nearby hospital, the unit became suddenly engulfed in flames.
This was apparently an oxygen fueled fire, that killed the ambulance driver (David Blausen, who lived for a month, but died of burns) and the (unknown) patient.
This incident somewhat mirrored the Apollo 1 "Launch Pad" fire in 1966, that claimed the lives of 3 astronauts, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Ed White and Rodger Chaffee.
It was later determined, (but possibly never proven) that the fire was caused by the main oxygen tank (hose) being ruptured or laterally split and creating a very high, oxygen rich environment. That's when the fire began.
It was also suspected that oxygen was the source or fuel. The main oxygen tank was bracketed behind the driver's seat (horizontally) with the hose running through the partition wall, at a 90 degree angle. When the crew required oxygen for a patient, the driver would reach behind him and turn on the main tank, using a wheel valve or a lever.
It was thought that the constant movement of the seat for different drivers, height, length etc. (possibly) weakened the hose over time, causing the split or rupture.
It's unknown just what sparked the fire (possibly friction from escaping oxygen) or whether the ambulance may have exploded as a result. In any event, the unit left the road, either intentionally or unintentionally, striking a tree and finally stopping.
At some point, the 3 man crew of Churchill police officer, Rich James, Attendant Brian Hill and Attendant Bill Barnes, either jumped or were ejected from the rear of the Suburban, all suffering moderate injuries.
It is not known whether the patient was in cardiac arrest at the time, died from his "heart attack" or succumbed to the fire.
The Superior ambulance pictured was purchased from Pfundt Superior Sales in Lower Burrell, PA in February of 1972 and was the first ambulance that I worked in as a volunteer. During the interim, loaners were used to continue service.
This 54" Superior remained in-service, faithfully serving until 1979, when it was replaced by a pair of Ford Type II vans. (Yankee Coach Conversion)
Anyway... I'd love to find this car, IF it's still around. The last anyone knew, it was being used in Ohio, as a transport vehicle for a nursing home.
Any help finding her would be MOST appreciated.
Over and Out!
Rick
AKA Mr. X