New ambulance Mathilde supports emergency care in Ortenberg!
New ambulance Mathilde supports emergency care in Ortenberg!
on October 1, 2024, at exactly 8 a.m., a new ambulance, which is called "Mathilde", competed in the DRK district association in Büdingen. Emergency paramedic Julia Reich and paramedic Andreas Horn put the vehicle into operation and made her way directly to Ortenberg. From now on, this new ambulance will support people in the surrounding regions such as Büdingen, Gedern, Kefenrod, Ortenberg and Nidda.
The new ambulance is available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to provide help in emergencies. Jens Grusdt, the head of the emergency services at the DRK district association Büdingen, emphasizes the strategic location of the Ortenberg location. From there you can quickly break up to the various locations, which is particularly important in view of the closure of the Mathilden Hospital in Büdingen.
background of the purchase
The closure of the hospital has to force the emergency services to continue transporting patients than before, often to Friedberg, Bad Nauheim or Gelnhausen. This has led to longer travel times, which has a direct impact on the care of the emergency patients. In order to counteract these challenges, the Red Cross in Büdingen has decided to purchase a new ambulance that was commissioned by the Wetteraukreis, which is responsible for the strategic planning of the emergency services.
"Mathilde" now bears the name of the former hospital, which is a conscious decision to illustrate the connection to the history of emergency care in this region. Nevertheless, the purchase of a new vehicle is not enough, explains Grusdt. In order to ensure the required supply quality, the ambulance must be filled with at least two qualified rescue workers every day. This means that additional staff is needed, which is a major challenge in view of the shortage of skilled workers. Grusdt emphasizes that the training as an emergency paramedic lasts three years, which makes the recruitment of new employees time -consuming.
André Hübsch from the DRK-Wache in Büdingen reports that it is difficult to find new vehicles that are quickly available. A new ambulance was currently ordered, but the delivery could not take place until the end of 2027 or early 2028. Therefore, "Mathilde", a used Mercedes Sprinter, which was previously used by the fire brigade in Düren, was put into operation. “Mathilde” roughly corresponds to the standard of the current vehicle fleet, which makes it the ideal transition solution.
complete equipment and uniformity
"Mathilde" was extensively rebuilt and expanded so that the equipment of the other DRK emergency vehicles corresponds. "The philosophy of our service is the uniform equipment of all vehicles. Our employees always have the same standard, which makes work easier," says Hübsch. The uniform vehicles enable that all technology and materials are identical, which improves both efficiency and security in use.
The equipment of the new vehicle includes digital radio, GPS location and a modern system for electronic data acquisition. In addition, medical devices such as defibrillators, ventilators and various materials for primary care were integrated. Medicines and backpacks are also part of the equipment. The vehicle was also provided with a new, striking sticker in the yellow-or-colored design that makes it uniform in the entire DRK fleet.
The commitment of the DRK district association to improve emergency medical care in the region is clearly shown by the purchase of "Mathilde". The new ambulance is not only a symbol of progress, but also an urgently needed means to ensure high -quality patient care in the Wetteraukreis. The Red Cross has thus clearly known for a responsible emergency care that is indispensable in times of crisis. Details on these developments can be found in a current report www.fnp.de .