HIGH POINT, N.C. (April 4, 2007) — Fire departments in and around the nation's capital will be infusing a little yellow into their fire red operations thanks to specially-equipped Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liners that will act as roaming ambulance buses.

The seven new vehicles, similar to those that help ferry students across the nation to and from school, were made available with a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant. The ambulance buses can accommodate up to 20 victims being transported to a hospital.

Each station comes equipped with oxygen and cots are contructed in three tiers mounted on the interior walls.

The vehicles were procured from American Bus Sales in Annapolis, Md., and interior conversions were completed by Sartin Services of Archdale, N.C. The first bus was delivered in March with the remaining buses delivering later this month to fire departments in the District of Columbia and in surrounding areas of Virginia and Maryland.

Editor's note — Read more in the upcoming May issue, which focuses on school bus safety and security.