YPD Ambulance... yes YPD

[daysleeper47]

This photo shows a new 1946 Municipal Ambulance #55, operated by the Youngstown Police Department. The ambulance unit was staffed by police officers at that time. Later those duties were transferred to the fire department. Ambulance services today are privatized, but  "send us 55" is still used to request an ambulance.

[Box 2565]

Hi Joe,

I hope all is well in DC and that your boss was re-elected!

My guess is that having the PD operate an ambulance is a carryover from the horse-drawn era when patrol wagons often were used to transport folks to the hospital.  Since the PD was operating the patrols I guessing that they may have been assigned the ambulance when purchased by a town.

In Cincinnati the PD was still making hospital transports (using Chevy Suburbans) until 1990 or so.  Norwood, Ohio had a PD operated ambulance until the mid-1970's.

Take care and avoid speaking with the pages.....  :shock:

Steve