Here at Braun Industries, we love a good challenge. When we say we build custom, handcrafted emergency vehicles – we mean it. When a customer comes to us with a unique set of specifications and detailed requirements, we are excited about the opportunity to build them a quality ambulance suited to their exact needs.

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of finishing up a custom ambulance for Lucas Fire-Rescue. Established in 1973, the Lucas Fire Department is located at 165 Country Club in Lucas, TX. Covering a 24 square mile area in Collin County with a population of 5,015 north of Dallas, Texas, the department responds to over 400 service calls per year. Lucas Fire Department is a combination department with 1 full-time paid chief, and roughly 50 volunteers.

Lucas Fire-Rescue worked closely with Tim Hutchens from Lone Star Emergency Vehicles and Braun to design their new ambulance. The 2014 Chief XL Type I unit built on a 2014 Ford F-550 4x2 includes a variety of unique features. On the outside of the ambulance, there is a Ranch Hand front grille guard and Whelen LED Warning Light package with Traffic Advisor. Inside, there is a 110/120v Heat/AC unit for improved performance, VitalMax Lighting for enhanced visibility, angled interior cabinets for improved safety, and dual OTE international temperature controlled cabinets. The curb door forward design creates additional space in the box. Storage wise, the ambulance has custom accommodations for SCBA storage, stair chair storage, and rescue gear storage, a backboard retention plate in compartment to prevent backboard from tipping out when the door is opens, a Knox MedVault for medications, a custom curbside storage solution, and 02 bottle storage in the stepwell. It also features a Signtronics headset system and custom radio installation inside the cabinets. That’s a ton of stuff packed into one emergency vehicle; imagine the equipment that you can carry onboard!

Here is what Lucas Fire-Rescue Operations Chief/EMT, Craig Zale, had to say about their new emergency vehicle:

We are so very proud of this unit and how it performs above all expectations on a daily basis. Some of the other departments that have come out to look the unit over have commented on how well the larger box works on the F-550 chassis, as opposed to a medium duty truck.  Everyone from Tim's group at Lone Star Emergency Vehicles, all the way up through the Braun team, have been a top notch group to work with. We cannot wait until the next one! With Braun you get form, fit, and function all in one neat package.

Congratulations to Lucas Fire Department on their new ambulance. It’s a showcase emergency vehicle!