For approximately 25 years, the manufacture of ambulances in this country have been represented by an association dedicated to the production of safe, state-of-the-art vehicles. Chances are you never knew that. Chances are you have never heard of an organization called the AMD, and if you had, you probably didn’t know what it was or what it stood for.
Why? Because the organization has always worked quietly behind the scenes, dedicated to the manufacture of ambulances second to none in the world.
That organization is the Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD) of the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA).
The NTEA is the only trade association representing the nation’s manufacturers and distributors of commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment trailers and accessories. NTEA members include companies that produce every conceivable configuration of commercial trucks, including highly specialized vehicles, such as ambulances, snow and ice-control vehicles and several types of buses.
The NTEA provides its nearly 1,700 member companies with resource materials, technical assistance and business improvement programs. Headquartered in suburban Detroit, the NTEA interacts directly with the major truck chassis manufacturers on product compatibility issues. From its government relations office in the nation’s capital, the Association keeps its members advised of changing regulations affecting commercial trucks and lobbies on the industry’s behalf.
The AMD was founded in 1976 and became a division of the NTEA to further enhance its position in the industry and depth of professionalism. The organization has grown dramatically over the past six years as more and more ambulance manufacturers and industry-related companies realize the value and significance of being an AMD member. Currently composed of approximately 60 companies, the AMD has consistently maintained representation of over 90% of the ambulance production in the United States.
Since its founding, the AMD has worked closely with all State and Federal regulatory agencies. Some of the more significant projects with which it has been directly involved include:
- Coordination with the General Services Administration (GSA) in the development and revision of the Federal Specification for Ambulances KKK-A-1822.
- Development of performance test procedures for ambulances.
- Current AMD Standards for:
| AMD001 |
|
Static Load Test For Ambulance Body Structure |
| AMD002 |
|
Body Door Retention Components Test |
| AMD003 |
|
Oxygen Tank Retention System |
| AMD004 |
|
Litter Retention Test |
| AMD005 |
|
Ambulance 12-Volt DC Electrical System |
| AMD006 |
|
Sound Level Test Code For Ambulance Compartment Interiors |
| AMD007 |
|
Carbon Monoxide Levels For Ambulance Compartment Interiors |
| AMD008 |
|
Load Test For Ambulance Patient Compartment Grab Rail |
| AMD009 |
|
120 VAC Electrical Systems |
| AMD010 |
|
Water Spray Test For Ambulances |
| AMD011 |
|
Ambulance Equipment Temperature Test |
| AMD012 |
|
Ambient Temperature Test |
| AMD013 |
|
Weight Distribution |
| AMD014 |
|
Cooling System Test |
| AMD015 |
|
Ambulance Main Oxygen System Test |
AMD Standards are those by which all newly manufactured ambulances must conform. Before a standard is adopted, it is scrutinized by review panels from the AMD, industry experts, the GSA and all interested parties. All comments are considered and appropriate revisions are made before a standard is voted on for adoption.
All of the above AMD tests have been incorporated into the latest revision of KKK-A-1822.
Most AMD members maintain staff engineers to keep their companies abreast of technological advances applying to the manufacture of ambulance bodies, electrical systems, environmental systems, and other ambulance components. These advances are incorporated into new ambulance models thereby continuously improving the industry through competition. No governmental agency dictates that AMD members make these improvements; they are done voluntarily to upgrade the product, make it more reliable, and provide even more dependable life-support capabilities.
Since the organization was founded, AMD members have been directly involved in activities that benefit the general public as well as the industry. These activities include:
- Continued coordination with the GSA in further development and revision of the Federal Specification for Ambulances — KKK-A-1822.
- Active involvement with Ford, General Motors, International, and Freightliner in the development of new models and options that make their chassis more compatible for ambulance service.
- Support of the Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) Program.
- Continued development, improvement and updating of AMD Standards.
While the role of the Ambulance Manufacturers Division may not be well known, the AMD takes its responsibility very seriously, working diligently to provide safe, quality ambulance products the public can depend on.