World War One
Ford 1916
Model T
Field Ambulance. This canvas on wood frame model was used extensively by the British & French as well as the
American Expeditionary Force
in
World War I
. Its top speed was 45mph produced by a 4 cylinder water cooled engine.
During World War One, the Red Cross brought in the first widespread battlefield motor ambulances to replace horse drawn vehicles, which was such a success, the horse drawn variants were quickly phased out. In civilian emergency care, dedicated ambulance services were frequently managed or dispatched by individual
hospitals
, though in some areas,
telegraph
and
telephone
services enabled
police
departments to handle dispatch duties.[20]
The equipment carried by the ambulance was changing fast at this time. Traction splints were introduced during World War I , and were found to have a positive effect on the morbidity and mortality of patients with leg fractures. Two-way radios became available shortly after World War I, enabling for more efficient radio dispatch of ambulances. Shortly before World War II , then, a modern ambulance carried advanced medical equipment, was staffed by a physician , and was dispatched by radio. It was frequently found that ambulances were hearses - the only available vehicle that could carry a recumbent patient - and were thus frequently run by funeral homes , these vehicles which could serve for either purpose were known as combination cars .[20][27]
******References:
20.