The Barriere First Responders Society acquired a retired BCAS ambulance that spent its life responding to medical emergencies in the Penticton, B.C. area. Once the vehicle was retired it was brought down to the lower mainland where it sat in storage at Knight Hill Automotive in Richmond, B.C.
When the BCAS decided to donate an ambulance to the society the unit was given a chance for a new life. Knight Hill Automotive quickly jumped into action and stripped off all the decals on the unit that BCAS had put on, and preformed a mechanical inspection on the unit and found it fit for service once again. Two members were sent on a mission to drive to the coast and pick up Barriere’s newest emergency vehicle.
Once the vehicle was driven back to Barriere it was to be stored in a bay at the fire hall where it was quickly established that it would not fit in the bay unless some modification was made to increase the length. Thankfully for the society a small laundry room was able to lose a wall to make room for the new unit. The members took care of the wall and a new home was made for the newest addition to Barriere.
The unit was looking a little plain after Knight Hill removed all the decals on it, so new images were designed and sent off to Visual Signs in Kamloops to be made. Visual Signs made quick work of drafting up the new designs; and after a few emails back and forth the designs were finalized; and a date set for application of the decals. Visual Signs then came to the Barriere Fire Hall and applied all the decals to the unit.
Once the decals were put on the old ambulance it became the shining star it is now, and is now known as Barriere FR - 4. The unit was set up and stocked just like a BCAS ambulance, so paramedics and first responders can work out of each others units with no problems.
A few special items to the unit equipment were added so that Barriere First Responders can perform rehab to the Fire Department on big fire scenes, thus removing the need to tie up the local ambulance.
FR-4 is a fully functioning unit that is ready to respond to any kind of medical emergency.