LANESBOROUGH, Mass. - There’s a new ambulance in town for Lanesborough’s emergency medical services.

“It’s reliable. There’s no question that when you call that somebody’s going to come," Lanesborough EMS director Jen Weber said. That’s most important thing for me as a director, to make sure that when somebody calls 911 that they get the help that they need.”

What You Need To Know

  • The town’s old vehicle failed 10 days before the new truck arrived. They received a county ambulance from Pittsfield to cover the time

  • EMS director Jen Weber says the new ambulance makes all of their equipment more accessible and available

  • Massachusetts recommends ambulances last four-to-six years due to the weight they carry and heavy use

  • Lanesborough EMS gets help from volunteers and is hoping to expand the amount of their paid positions

Weber started with Lanesborough EMS five years ago and has been the director for about three and a half years.

The EMS director says some of the improvements to their new ambulance were much needed.

From more cabinet space on the vehicle’s exterior - “We have a lot of cool features like being able to access some of the cabinetry from the outside,” Weber said.

To a new power stretcher - “So that’s got the extra function that actually lift the stretcher up for us, saving providers for liability with back problems or even safety so that’s a big upgrade for us,” Weber said.

It’s designed specifically the town’s needs with convenience and efficiency in mind.

“For instance things you don’t think about when somebody gets on the scene after we arrive you have to jump inside and come up into this cabinet to get gloves," Weber said. "So we actually designed a glove compartment that’s accessible from being out of the truck.”

Weber says the state recommends ambulances be replaced after four-to-six years. 

The town had used their old vehicle for 12 years.

The new truck’s blue color is inspired by the EMS star of life and the vehicle is paid for by user fees from insurance companies.

Weber says she believes the new truck will last as long as their old model. 

“If we take care of this truck we expect that it could last hopefully that long," Weber said. "We hope that brings more membership and employees that are interested in riding in this really kind of showstopper ambulance.”