November 26, 2004 OTTAWA -- The first revamped Bison ambulance is being delivered to the Canadian Forces. Major-General Lise Mathieu, Commander of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, and Brigadier-General Peter Holt, Director General Land Equipment Program Management, today accepted the Ambulance, which is the first to be delivered as part of a $5.8 million contract awarded to DEW Engineering of Miramichi, New Brunswick in January 2003. "It gives me great pleasure to accept this new Bison ambulance, marking another significant occasion in our centennial celebration of Canadian military medical service," said Major-General Mathieu. "This truly impressive vehicle will ensure that, as medical staff, we can continue to provide first-rate care for the Canadian Forces in the 21st century." "The Bison ambulance represents a key accomplishment for the Wheeled Light Armoured Vehicle Life Extension project," said Brigadier-General Holt. "This project enhances the protection and combat support capabilities of the Canadian Forces, providing our soldiers with modern equipment for today's operational environment." The new Bison Ambulances will be based at Regular Force Field Ambulance Units across Canada which include 1 Field Ambulance in Edmonton, Alberta, 2 Field Ambulance in Petawawa, Ontario and 5 Field Ambulance in Valcartier, Quebec. It will also be used for training at army training centres located in CFB Wainwright, Alberta and CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick. The Bison has many features that make it ideal as an ambulance. The vehicle has eight-wheel drive with independent suspension, providing a smooth cross-country ride for up to four stretchers to be transported under the protection of armour. It is air transportable and will provide the Canadian Forces with an armoured ambulance that is comparable in capability to a typical civilian paramedic vehicle. The remainder of the Bison ambulances will be delivered to the Canadian Forces over the next two years. The refurbished Bison ambulance meets the goals of the Army's Transformation to a medium-weight rapidly deployable and knowledge-based Army. It has the power and speed to move with the Army's fast, wheeled Light Armoured Vehicle fleets in order to support units on operations. - 30 - Information: (613) 996-2353/54, After hours: (613) 792-2973, World Wide Web: http://www.forces.gc.ca
