City unveils energy efficient ambulance

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - Officials in Warwick are showing off a brand new green rescue vehicle, complete with state of the art lifesaving equipment.

On Thursday, city officials unveiled the new ambulance and said they are pleased with the new energy efficient vehicle.

Mayor Scott Avedisian said, "We’re taking an old vehicle that was tired, and was not friendly to the environment off of the road."

The new vehicle is being paid in part by a $43,000 grant from the DEM. The grant is funded by federal stimulus money in an effort to get older, dirtier engines off of the road.

"The engine in this vehicle, which I think is a 2009 compliant engine is several times cleaner than the one that it's replacing," said Frank Stevenson.

But can the environmentally friendly ambulance perform as well as traditional models? Warwick Fire EMS Chief Dave Kurowski said this vehicle will actually be an upgrade.

"This is the first rescue ambulance we've had that's going to have an engine break on it in addition to the standard breaks," said Kurowski.