Rapid Response Vehicles
In addition to our helicopters, we have a fleet of rapid response vehicles; Volvo XC90s, all of which have their own call sign.
The Charity funds a fleet of eight Volvo XC90s, some of which have undergone a new livery, and they carry exactly the same pioneering equipment on board as our aircraft.
Why do we have cars?
The weather in Wales can be unpredictable, and this can sometimes mean our helicopters are grounded. Our fleet of RRVs enables us to transport our critical care teams to a patient via road, ensuring we are still delivering advanced care to a patient when they need it.
The RRVs are also used for nearby incidents, where it would be quicker for the crew to travel by car than by helicopter, or incidents when it is not suitable for an aircraft to land.
Depending on the location and nature of a mission and following dispatch information from the team on shift at Critical Care Hub in Cwmbran, the critical care team will identify whether it is best to travel to an incident by air or by car.
What equipment do the cars carry?
All of our response vehicles carry the same pioneering equipment that you would find on our aircraft, which means the care the patient receives on scene is the same as would regardless of whether a helicopter or car attends.
Patients cannot be transferred in the rapid response vehicle, but the crew commonly travel via road ambulance with the patient once they have stabilised the patient on scene.
Getting our clinicians to the scene is proven to make a lifesaving difference, and through working with our colleagues in the ambulance services, the patient can then be transported safely to hospital.
Special Features
Electrical Charging Plugs
Used to charge the medical equipment, which automatically releases when the engine is turned on.
Four-Wheel Drive
Good ground clearance for coping with speed bumps, kerbs, off-road terrain and low grip access.
Wide Boot Space
For all clinical equipment – a bespoke adaptation for our teams.
Blue Lights and Emergency Lighting
High Seating Position for Good Visibility
Radio Systems to connect with the critical care hub
Good Performance, Ride and Handling
50% of all callouts via our rapid response vehicles
Approximately, 50% of all callouts we receive are attended to via our rapid response vehicles. Even when our helicopters are not able to respond to an incident, our rapid response vehicles assure that we can still deliver the same world-class standard of care to our patients.
Two-year-old Jack Howells’ life was saved by the medics of the Wales Air Ambulance after he suffered a catastrophic head injury. Due to the severity of Jack’s condition, Wales Air Ambulance were requested and dispatched.
The adverse weather that day meant the critical care teams were operating out of the Charity’s fleet of rapid response vehicles, instead of the helicopters. At the scene, Jack received pre-hospital interventions such as anaesthesia and was placed on a ventilator – all things which are only possible thanks to our service and ultimately saved Jack’s life.
Making a difference
Approximately, 50% of all callouts we receive are attended to via our rapid response vehicles. Even when our helicopters are not able to respond to an incident, our rapid response vehicles assure that we can still deliver the same world-class standard of care to our patients.
Two-year-old Jack Howells’ life was saved by the medics of the Wales Air Ambulance after he suffered a catastrophic head injury. Due to the severity of Jack’s condition, Wales Air Ambulance were requested and dispatched.
The adverse weather that day meant the critical care teams were operating out of the Charity’s fleet of rapid response vehicles, instead of the helicopters. At the scene, Jack received pre-hospital interventions such as anaesthesia and was placed on a ventilator – all things which are only possible thanks to our service and ultimately saved Jack’s life.
Many people don’t realise that the Wales Air Ambulance is a Charity, and although we’ve been supporters for many years, we never imagined that one day, we would need the service and would save our little boy’s life.
They have given us the greatest gift of all
Jess, Jack’s mum
Keep us on the road
Keep us on the road
Our RRVs give us greater flexibility, so we can reach more people in their time of need. You can help to keep them on the road by making a donation today.