Local

EMS vehicles included in Takata airbag recalls

By Allison Latos, wsoctv.com
By Allison Latos, wsoctv.com

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A safety recall has forced ambulances in the area off the road and it’s a problem Channel 9 has been investigating for weeks.

There have been problems with passenger vehicle airbags at risk of exploding, sending shrapnel flying into drivers' and passengers' faces.

Now that is also a problem for emergency responders and their Takata airbags.

Two Gaston County Emergency Medical Services’ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances are included in the recall, officials said.

They're now parked in the county fleet garage behind a chain link fence.

There is no time frame for a repair because the parts to fix the airbags are still being built.

Gaston County officials said this isn't impacting their ability to respond to patients.

Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency Deputy Director Jeff Keith said an April 18 letter warned that the recall impacts eight Dodge Sprinter ambulances they use for non-emergency transports.

some text

Those vehicles are sitting in a garage on Allegheny Street in Charlotte.

Keith said there is no solution to get the airbags fixed yet.

Another 35 million vehicles are going to be added to the recall which is going to do is put added pressure on replacements, officials said.

Paramedics said they have enough ambulances to help patients, but officials said fixing emergency vehicles should be an emergency in itself.

“I’m frustrated because I can’t imagine something that could have this level of impact, on an emergency service or safety in general and people can have months or even a year to solve the problem,” Keith said.

EMS agencies are not required to stop driving the ambulances with the airbag recall. MEDIC has a plan to cope with using its other ambulances more often.

Some fleet staff are working overtime to make sure they're running properly.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read