Operating across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, the fleet of 4x2 and 4x4 Dacia Dusters have clocked up over 120,000 hours as dedicated Dynamic Response Vehicles, providing a rapid response to many 999 calls where an ambulance has been requested.
The Dusters have attended 1,130 ‘Category 1’ calls to treat people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as cardiac arrest, while 5,218 ‘Category 2’ emergency calls were attended where people had breathing difficulties or stroke and heart attack symptoms.
The proven robustness, versatility and durability of the Duster influenced the Charity’s decision to order the award-winning SUV.
The Charity specified 13 of its Dusters with 4x4, designed to help its volunteer Community First Responders reach patients in harder to access rural environments and comfortably negotiate more hilly urban areas in wintry conditions. The availability of such a drivetrain coupled with its affordable price ensured that the organisation was able to extend its service in such conditions.
Vanessa Casey, Chief Executive of the South Central Ambulance Charity, explains: “The Duster has been an excellent choice for community responding. It has met our expectations in terms of suitability for the role, having all the space we need and being 100 percent reliable. It was still a big investment for us to refresh our fleet with 40 new cars, but it has proven to be a very good decision.”
Vanessa continues: “The 4x4 versions have provided reassurance to our volunteers in reaching patients in more remote areas, such as bridal footpaths and rough tracks, where a normal car may have struggled. Feedback from our Community First Responders has been very complementary”.
Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said: “I’m really proud to see how the Dusters have helped South Central Ambulance Charity carry out invaluable work in and around the local community. The Duster’s rugged and robust qualities are providing volunteers with the peace-of-mind they need to deliver potentially life-saving care, regardless of the conditions. South Central Ambulance Charity’s experience perfectly illustrates all that the Duster has to offer.”
