There are a total of five new vehicles. One is dedicated to convalescent calls — which involves transporting patients from one facility to another — and another is a dedicated decedent transport van. Prior to the purchase of the van, the deceased were transported by ambulance. Ambulance 3 is stationed in Rocky Top and ambulance 6 is in Anderson- ville, according to EMS Director Nathan Sweet. The ambulances cost a total of $520,000, and that doesn’t include the equipment that goes in them. The department is almost fully staffed, according to Sweet. Three months ago, they were down 11 paramedics. Now, they’re only short by two employees. Sweet said they have hired some and some have left and returned. - Crystal Huskey

EMS Director Nathan Sweet shows how simple the new restraint systems are on the new ambulances. “Our paramedics are now able to sit down and be restrained safely,” he said. “The harnesses were cumbersome. We switched the design up so it’s more like sitting in a car as opposed to the 5-point harnesses. We also put more equipment within arms reach so they don’t have to get up.” Sweet said he feels like the department is in really good shape. - Crystal Huskey

Sweet shows how complicated the 5-point harnesses were in an old ambulance. The system discouraged paramedics and EMTs from using them at all, which was a safety hazard, according to Sweet. - Crystal Huskey

Paramedic David Murner did most of the set-up in the new ambulances. After spending years in an ambulance, he knew what items needed to be the most accessible. “If I need to do airway interventions, it’s right up there,” he said. “I don’t have the walkthrough or cabinet space like I did in the old ones. We can carry three people back here and two people up front.” The size of the new ambulances is significantly bigger than the old ones. The new ones also run on regular gasoline as opposed to diesel. - Crystal Huskey

Mayor Frank said that the expectations are greater and greater for EMS to do the work before patients even arrive at the hospital. The new ambulances give Anderson County EMTs and paramedics a leg up on those expectations. - Crystal Huskey

Anderson County Emergency Medical Services held a public ambulance presentation for the public to come and view the new ambulances on Friday. In honor of National EMS week, the department invited everyone to see the latest safety innovations built into the new ambulances. Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, above, was present. - Crystal Huskey