Houston Fire Department deploys ‘Snowbulance’ sooner than expected

HOUSTON — Just hours after highlighting the Houston Fire Department’s new off-road ambulance in Friday’s Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, the department had a chance to put its new “Snowbulance” to work.

Houston Fire Captain Christian Hartley then said the department deployed the ambulance up the Bench Lake Trail Saturday evening hitched behind a Houston Fire Department four-wheeler in response to an ATV rollover accident that left the driver pinned underneath.

Interviewed Oct. 30, Hartley had estimated the department might only use the new $7,200 off-road ambulance funded by a Mat-Su Health Foundation grant a couple of times a year. But it’s first call out came about 30 hours later when it was deployed in respond to that ATV rollover on Bench Lake Trail.

“Because he was riding in a group with three other ATVs, they were able to pull that ATV off of the man, help him regain consciousness and call 911,” reads a HFD press release recounting the accident.

Houston Fire Chief Tom Hood stressed the importance of riding with a group.

“We don’t send our crews out without partners and a backup plan, and we encourage all outdoor travelers to do the same,” the chief says in the city’s press release.

Hartley said the rider was treated on scene and monitored on the way back to the trailhead, where he was transferred from the Snowbulance into a regular ambulance for his trip to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Along the way he was kept warm by the heater included in the fully enclosed trailer and a medic was able to ride with him.

“It worked out exactly as specified, exactly as expected. It was not tippy at all. The trailer was really easy to haul with the four-wheeler,” Hartley said. “There were no complaints when we got back from the EMT (who) was in the back or the patient.”

Though he didn’t expect the department would have to use the Snowbulance so soon after introducing it to the public, Hartley said he was glad to have it.

“It’s better to have that tool in your toolbox than to not have it and be trying to come up with another solution,” he said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.