EMERGENCY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

Emergency vehicles exist to protect the public. Whether responding to a fire or delivering a patient to a hospital the standard is higher. If a delivery truck stalls, someone may do without their package for a few hours. If an emergency response vehicle stalls, lives are in danger and liability exposure is off the charts. It is the duty of the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) to institute processes that provide for safe and dependable Emergency Vehicles.

Emergency Vehicles are our Specialty

Roberts Repair has made enormous investments in training, certifying, and equipping our Technicians. We provide warranty repair for multiple Final Stage Ambulance Manufacturers.

EMERGENCY VEHICLE MECHANICAL

We Provide Comprehensive Emergency Vehicle Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance

The key is prevention.

Fluid and Filters

Fluids and filters are simultaneously the lowest cost and the most effective means of providing short-term dependability and long-term durability. Fluid maintenance means monitoring level, condition, and replacement interval.

Visual Inspection

The purpose of an inspection is to catch failures before they happen. An entry level Technician (while sorely needed in our industry) should not be your first choice for Emergency Vehicle maintenance inspection. It takes a seasoned professional to know when a repair will be needed before the next inspection.

Intervals

Owners manuals recommendations are one size fits all (except for the ones that describe Severe Service). Every fleet is unique and needs a customized maintenance program. Change the oil too often and you compromise the catalytic converter; extend the interval too long and you compromise the engine integrity.

Components

Some components have factory recommended replacement intervals. These intervals may be too long or too short for your fleet’s operational environment. Also, some components do not have factory recommended replacement intervals and yet if they fail… Tracking component life and developing a replacement policy that is proactive rather than reactive minimizes failures and the resultant liability exposure. The quality of the component (OEM or aftermarket) is also of paramount importance in this field.

Interaction between components

“For want of a nail…“ Some relatively minor parts can compromise the integrity of much more expensive components. A bad spark plug can ruin a coil causing a misfire which can destroy a catalytic converter.

Modules

Electronic Control Modules are not usually thought of as a maintenance item, but you can leverage their monitoring functions to determine when certain components are approaching their failure point. Scanning the Engine Control Module at each PMI is standard.

Diagnostics

It’s all about the Data!

A good diagnostic Technician gathers Data from the driver, the vehicle, the service history, the service information, and colleagues.

He must then understand that Data; how all the Data points converge to lead him down the most efficient diagnostic path.

And thirdly, he must apply the Data. Testing individual components takes time; the Data he gathers and understands saves time testing. Often a test is simply a confirmation of what the Technician has already determined.

Repair

The easy part.

This is the proper starting point for entry level Technicians rather than maintenance or diagnostics. There is this book called a service manual that gives step-by-step instructions on component replacement. Following procedure is the key to long-lasting repair.

RECORD KEEPING

Liability Exposure

Detailed and understandable paperwork is an essential factor in reducing liability exposure. Full labor descriptions and part numbers provide answers to the questions that you hope you never need to get asked. Which is why we say, “Never do anything to an ambulance that you are not willing to explain to a jury.”

Fleet Cost Analysis

Does one rig go through brakes at twice the rate of another rig? Does one crew see tire failures more commonly than all the others? Having clear numbers allows you to evaluate the vehicle, crew, and to determine if your vehicles conform well to your operational environment.

Life-cycle Expectations

The principle of return on investment shows us when it’s time to continue to maintain or to replace the vehicle. As long as your cost of ownership per mile is significantly more than your cost of maintenance and repair per mile, it is economically prudent to keep the rig. Once your amortization schedule achieves a level similar to maintenance and repair costs, it is time to replace the rig. Clear and understandable invoices make that job easier.

TRAINING & CONSULTATION

Driver/Operators

Most drivers are well versed in the functional operation of the vehicle through EVOC training. Some struggle with the Federally required emissions control systems and the visual and audible warnings associated with these modern systems. Since it is the driver that must sign off on the safety of the vehicle before operating it, we offer driver seminars to bridge the gap between the driver and the Technician.

Managers

Emergency Vehicle Fleet managers have an enormous responsibility. They deal with the public. They deal with people above them and below them. Plus they deal with the most complex generation of vehicles ever manufactured. Our Critical Thinking Skills Training covers character traits, communication skills, and overview of automotive technical principles.

Oversight Board

One of the main questions facing fleets today is which vehicle to purchase. The goal is to purchase a vehicle that performs the task required, provides the driver/operator with comfort and confidence, and does so economically. We know vehicles. And though we may not be able to answer all questions, we know what questions should be asked. (By the way, do you write specs for maintenance in as much detail as for purchase? Think about it.)

Are you ready to talk to us?

Here are some questions we will ask you.

Do you primarily perform 9-1-1 service or interfacility transport?
What is your expected life cycle? In years? In miles?
What is your call volume?
What is your average emergency run in miles?
Do you need four-wheel drive? (Would you be willing to pay for it out of your own pocket?) I suspect if not, you don’t really need it.

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