This picture was taken at Divisional HQ, Range Road, Motherwell, as I carried out the Vehicle Daily Inspection. It shows SP59CZR, a Ford Transit derived Ambulance. One of four vehicles used on our training course, which included two dedicated Driver Training Units, an ex-service Peugeot ambulance and CZR. This vehicle has a particularly interesting history and was affectionately known by our course as the “Ebola Bus” - as this was the ambulance used to transfer Scottish Nurse Pauline Cafferkey, who contracted Ebola whilst working in Sierra Leone and who survived the illness. The window between cab and cabin was sealed shut amongst other adaptions.
Some pictures from my Ambulance Technician (or Associate Ambulance Practitioner) course, WTECH0217. Having worked as an Emergency Call Handler at West Ambulance Control Centre (ACC), I transferred to the road, joining the second Scottish Ambulance Service training course of 2017. The VQ4 Technician Programme allowed Students to work as Attendant during their placement, whereas VQ3 could only be Drivers before coming back for their part 4 course. 0217 was one of the first combined courses.
To be accepted onto the Technician training course, first candidates have to gain their Category C1 driving licence (vehicles between 3.5-7.5 Tonnes carrying no more than 8 passengers). The DVLA theory test, a 2 day intensive course with the test on day 2 cost me just shy of £1k. This is an improvement however, previously applicants had to hold (and self fund) a C1 *and* D1 licence to allow them to drive the non emergency Patient Transport minibus derived vehicles.
After passing the classroom element we progressed to 4 weeks of Advanced and Emergency Response Ambulance Driving. Split into 2 weeks Advanced Driving and 2 weeks Emergency Response Driving. This again involved written exams and a written portfolio of learning, in addition to route planning and practical driver training in urban, suburban and rural settings. To pass the course involved a written theory exam and practical driving test at the end of each section. Passing the driving course resulted in an SCQF Level 6 qualification and enabled direct entry to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Anyone who failed either the clinical or driver training were removed from the course, those who passed went on to their probationary period at their home station, for me this was Springburn (Glasgow Central).
Scottish Ambulance Service - Seirbheis Ambaileans na h-Alba
