Mansfield Ambulance operates five advanced life support ambulances, each costing between $65,000 and $100,000. All are late model Ford and Chevrolet diesel ambulances manufactured by McCoy Miller and Horton Emergency Vehicles. These units are fully equipped for basic and advanced life support services. Portable equipment includes:

• Zoll "M" Series cardiac monitor/defibrillator/pacemaker units
• Zoll "AED Plus" semi-automatic defibrillators
• Full complement of medications for cardiac, respiratory & diabetic emergencies
• Pulse oximetry measuring blood oxygen levels
• Airway management kits & oxygen allowing support of all breathing related emergencies
• Portable and onboard suction units to clear airways
• Spinal and long-bone immobilization equipment, backboards, traction splints, vacuum extremity splints
• Communications equipment including two-way radio to 9-1-1 dispatchers and hospital medical control and NEXTEL cell phones

This is a truly unique emergency rescue vehicle, a 1982 AMC/Jeep Scrambler, Horton All Terrain Medic (ATM). It was found at Earehart AMC/Dodge in Beckley, WVA in 1992. It had never been sold and was in brand new condition.

The Horton ATM was designed by Carl Horton of The Horton Company in Columbus, Ohio. Research has revealed approximately ten of these fully functional mini-ambulances were built in 1981-1982. All ten were built as demonstrator units and eventually sold to rescue squads throughout the east coast and Georgia. We have been able to locate about four of the other ATM's built, and were pleased to say this ATM is by far in the best condition since it never officially went into service. (Old Jeeps rust!)

The Horton conversion was a little different in each unit, but primarily consists of removal of the front passenger seat; the installation of a stretcher platform or squad bench accommodating a Ferno 107-C stretcher/stair chair combo or a backboard, loaded feet first; the passenger seat was located rearward facing behind the driver allowing full access to a patient. A full cabinet wall was crafted on the curbside handling a full complement of medical supplies. Other storage included large item & backboard storage under the stretcher platform, oxygen storage in the street side rear area (2 "D" tanks), a 12 volt plug for Laerdal suction unit, and large compartments under the attendant seat, over the driver's head, and behind the driver's seat. Medical bags could be stored in the front passenger area.

There is a full complement of emergency lighting including a Federal #12 Twinsonic lightbar, 2 Weldon red sealed beam flashers on the front & rear and 2 Unity scene lights. A Federal Mini-Com siren and switching unit provided control of the Horton electrical system.

Although the ATM unit is not officially in service, we refinished the paint job last year, and the in-line six cylinder engine has just 30,000 miles on its odometer. It's a lot of fun to drive and always gets lots of smiling looks! We'd like to find any of the other ATM units out there so please send us photos or information.