How To Transport Emergency Vehicles

What immediately springs to mind when you contemplate the means of transportation of persons?

The answer is probably road trips, school buses, and freight trains for many people or even personal vehicles.

However, other types of transportation may not be as common knowledge. For example, what about transporting emergency vehicles?

An emergency vehicle is usually a police vehicle or fire truck. There are numerous other types of emergency vehicles as well.

An ambulance is another example of an emergency vehicle. These are just a few examples.

There are wide different varieties of emergency vehicles that can be utilized in different situations and settings.

Whether you need to transport an ambulance or one of the other models, as mentioned earlier, of emergency vehicles, you should know the logistics involved in making this happen safely and effectively.

‍In an emergency, your local fire department will do everything it can to respond quickly and safely.

This means equipping their trucks with the best safety features possible.

Other drivers on the road must be aware of these unique vehicles so they can drive accordingly.

Driving around large emergency response vehicles can be a frightening experience for others who aren't used to seeing them often.

This is why we see so many "Stay Alert: Drive Aware" advertisements on television and radio before major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thankfully, there are numerous ways you can make driving safer for first rescuers. You may not think this is a big deal, but every little bit helps in an emergency.

In this blog post, we'll go over how you can transport emergency vehicles safely and give some helpful tips on what to do if you ever come across one while driving.

What to Know About Transporting Emergency Vehicles

Before considering how to transport an emergency vehicle, you should be familiar with the basics of transporting these vehicles.

There are a few essential things you need to be aware of. Depending on the type of emergency vehicle you need to cart and the trip's distance, you may use a trailer or a semi-truck to haul the car.

In some circumstances, you might be able to move the car with a regular car mover. You should also be aware that emergency vehicles have unique requirements and regulations when it comes to safety.

There are specific safety requirements for each type of emergency vehicle in design and operation. All of these regulations are outlined under state and federal law.

It's also important to note that specific insurance requirements are mandated for owners of emergency vehicles.

The amount of coverage for the car is greater than the standard amount of coverage for most vehicles.

In addition, you may also have to have commercial insurance if you're using a commercial hauling or transportation company.

Why Are Emergency Vehicles Transported?

It may seem strange to transport an emergency vehicle, but there are many reasons why this may be necessary.

For instance, you might have to bring a police vehicle to the accident scene. Alternatively, you can drive a fire truck to a burning region. You may be required to relocate an emergency vehicle in various situations.

It may be necessary to transport the car if it has been damaged. Or it may also be required if the vehicle has been used in some crime scene investigation.

You may also need to transport an emergency vehicle if the car is no longer operable. If the vehicle is too badly damaged to be repaired, it may need to be transported to a disposal facility.

It's significant to remember that these laws differ for different states.

The Basics of Emergency Vehicle Transportation

The first step in transporting an emergency vehicle is to decide what type of transportation is best for the situation.

There are three main types of vehicle transportation available: road transport, rail transport, and water transport. Depending on the type of emergency vehicle, one of these methods may be used for transportation.

You should also ensure that the emergency vehicle is adequately prepared for transport. In most cases, the car will be scheduled at the original location of the vehicle.

However, in some situations, the vehicle may need to be prepared at another site. This may be necessary if the car is too badly damaged to repair.

When You Need a Flatbed Truck to Transport an EMV

A flatbed truck is the first truck you may need to transport an emergency vehicle. A flatbed truck is a standard truck used for various hauling needs.

For example, you may use a flatbed truck to haul large machinery or machinery on a construction site. Or you may also use a flatbed truck to carry a large load that can't fit inside a trailer.

You may need to use a flatbed truck to transport an emergency vehicle if you have a smaller model of an emergency vehicle.

The car may be too small to fit inside a standard trailer. In this case, you may need to use a flatbed truck to haul the vehicle.

When You Need a Step Deck Truck to Transport an EMV

A step deck truck is another type of truck you may need to transport an emergency vehicle. A step deck truck is a larger version of a standard flatbed truck.

The step deck truck has a raised deck that measures around 20 inches above the bed of the car. A step deck truck is an excellent option for transporting a larger emergency vehicle.

This is true, especially if the car is too long to fit inside a standard trailer. A step deck truck may also be necessary to transport a vehicle that doesn't have wheels.

For example, you may need to transport an ambulance on a step-deck truck if the ambulance has wheels that are too large to fit inside a standard trailer.

When You Need a Rollback to Transport an EMV

A rollback truck is a standard truck commonly used to haul industrial or construction equipment. You may use a rollback truck to transport a large or heavy emergency vehicle.

You may need a rollback truck because the car doesn't fit inside a standard trailer. You may also use a rollback truck to haul a smaller emergency vehicle that doesn't fit inside a stock trailer.

In this case, you may use a rollback truck as a backup plan if a trailer is too small to transport the vehicle.

Location and Size of the Lot

The first thing you should consider when choosing a place to park an emergency vehicle is the size of the lot itself.

You may find lots with hundreds of spaces in a large city near a hospital. However, you might not find a parking space if you're in a smaller rural town.

If you're stuck in a situation where you can't find space to temporarily park an emergency vehicle, ask if you can drive it to the fire station.

Most departments will let you park there if you have an emergency you need to respond to.

Remember that the area ought to be big enough to accommodate the car you'll be parked in. For example, a large fire truck will need a lot with at least 40 feet of width to park in.

Ventilation and Power Requirements

Depending on the type of emergency vehicle you are parking, you may need to consider how much ventilation and power are required.

If you're parking a fire truck, you'll likely need to park it indoors to protect it from the weather.

If you're parking a police car, you may be able to park it outdoors, but you'll want to check to ensure it's not in a high-risk area.

You'll also need to make room for the car to open its doors. This is important because police officers need easy vehicle access when responding to calls.

To power these vehicles, you'll want to make sure you can plug them into a nearby outlet. If you have a fire truck, you may need a separate power source for its water pump.

Security Requirements

If you're parking a vehicle with expensive equipment, like a fire truck or ambulance, you'll want to ensure you're protecting it from theft.

You can do this in a couple of ways. The first is by parking in a lot that has good security.

This means there should be a gate and security cameras. You can also ask the person in charge of the lot if you can leave a vehicle in a more secluded area.

Loading Dock Requirements

You'll want to check with the building owner where you plan to park an emergency vehicle. You'll want to ensure there's room for a car to drive up to a loading dock or back entrance.

You'll also want to ensure no power lines or gas lines are too low for the vehicle to drive safely under. If you're planning on parking a large car, you may need to prepare.

For example, you may want to talk with the building owner about reserving a loading dock for that day.

Or, you could find a different place to park the vehicle for one day if it's needed immediately.

Drive-through Requirements

If you're planning on parking an emergency vehicle in a drive-thru lane, you'll want to check with the restaurant manager.

You'll want to ensure the car isn't blocking someone's path or in a spot where drinks are being delivered to customers.

Again, you can always park in a lot and walk inside. And, if you're on a tight schedule, you may want to do that.

Utilize GPS Tracking

For sensitive loads that need to track, GPS tracking is a must. When transporting emergency vehicles, it's essential to know where every car is.

This helps emergency service providers control their fleets and comply with regulations requiring these vehicles to travel at certain speeds and follow specific routes to minimize risks.

It also helps everyone stay aware of the location of their emergency vehicles. This information can be critical in an emergency where those vehicles are needed.

In addition, knowing where your vehicles are and how long they've been there can help crisis teams respond more quickly.

If a car is at the hospital for three hours, the team knows it doesn't need to rush back to the hospital.

Diversify Your Fleet with Specialty Vehicles

Beyond standard transport vehicles, consider adding specialized cars to your fleet.

Specialty vehicles like ramps-and-rollers, turntables, or liftgates can help you transport large or heavy equipment.

These vehicles are built for heavy lifting and can help you move and transport things that would be difficult or impossible for standard transport vehicles.

They can also help you move delicate items like mannequins or medical equipment that require special handling.

Specialty vehicles can help you handle various transport needs, making transporting large items or soft gear easier.

By enabling you to transport heavy objects using smaller cars without causing damage, they can also assist you in saving on shipping expenses.

It's critical to consider each vehicle's requirements and the delicate goods they transport.

Conclusion

It takes a lot of effort to move emergency cars.

Therefore, it's critical to consider each vehicle's requirements and the delicate goods they transport.

It's also essential to view the travel route and the best way to get these vehicles where they need to go. With the right plan, any emergency vehicle can arrive safely and quickly.

Driving around emergency vehicles can be scary, but it doesn't have to be. You can make it simpler for others to perform their duties by going the additional mile.

Whether you're a driver behind the wheel or someone who works on an emergency vehicle, you can benefit from knowing how to transport emergency vehicles safely.

If you have any further questions regarding the transportation of emergency vehicles or other subjects, please do not hesitate to contact us.