This unit originally served Whitley County EMS (IN) and subsequently Parkview Whitley EMS. It was the very first project of One World Medics, and the one that "started it all". The community of Fort Wayne came together and provided this group with an essentially "new" ambulance, having been completely refurbished inside and out. It is currently serving the people of Tijuana providing both 911 and critical care transportation services. We had raised enough money on this project to fly the senior members of RH to Fort Wayne to retrieve the unit, and get a little local EMS experience before their journey home in November of 2019.
This unit was purchased from Care Ambulance in Iowa City, Iowa, while the crew from Rescate Halcones was in Fort Wayne picking up RH-7. We surprised them with the purchase of a second unit for them to transport back to San Diego for importation. The original intent was for this to be RH-8, however fate would intervene and this unit was handed over to the San Luis Rio Colorado Fire Department by the members of Rescate Halcones. They had a sudden and urgent need for an ambulance and both OWM and RH were happy to oblige them. It was repainted and now serves as a 911 unit in this border city.
These two ambulances were retired from Noble County EMS (IN) and subsequently Parkview Noble EMS. They were slated for use as county vehicles serving purposes other than patient transportation, such as weights and measures. We were fortunate enough to obtain them through a county auction and immediately began repairs to bring them back to serve in their original capacity. As we were working to replace a fuel tank and multiple other tasks, Covid-19 became a reality. The urgency to get these in service was very clear. When delivered, these units were expedited into service in Tijuana for use transporting often critically ill Covid victims. They remain in service in Tijuana, responding with dedicated volunteers to a variety of emergency services.
This ambulance had a prestigious life serving the Turkey Creek Township Fire Department in Syracuse, Indiana. It was then purchased by Dekalb Hospital EMS and subsequently Parkview Dekalb EMS. It served reliably there before it was donated to One World Medics. This unit took some very minor repairs and was turned over, ready to use, to the senior firefighters of Bomberos Ciudad Morelos. It continues to serve there reliably and with great pride by its staff. Inside this unit is the logo for the Eric Marsh Foundation with an inspirational message inscribed by Eric's widow, Amanda. Eric was the superintendent of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, 19 of whom tragically perished in a wildland fire in 2013.
Unit A-18 began as Dekalb County EMS #0232 serving Auburn, Indiana. It was provided to the San Luis Rio Colorado Fire Department for a new station being built in the community of El Golfo de Santa Clara. It has been stocked with equipment and a cardiac monitor from One World Medics, and serves with it's sister unit, A-17 (shown above).