Summit’s fire department took delivery of a custom-built ambulance designed to solve a persistent operational challenge: too many people cramped in the back during emergency calls.
The ambulance, built by AEV (American Emergency Vehicles), was selected for display at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis — one of the largest fire industry gatherings in the nation, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees annually. The selection signals recognition of its innovative design.
“Our builder usually showcases three ambulances at the conference,” said Stephanie Cole, EMS coordinator for the Summit Fire Department. Cole has been with the department five years and held her current position for three years. “Ours was chosen to be placed on their show floor for their company.”
Custom design sets it apart
What distinguishes this ambulance from standard models is its tailored construction built specifically to Summit’s operational needs.
The most notable feature is a forward-positioned door that creates additional space in the patient compartment. This solves a recurring challenge: multiple personnel often need to work inside simultaneously — paramedics treating patients, police investigating, additional firefighters assisting.
“The door being moved forward gives us more room in the back because we have a lot of people that want to be hands-on and get in the back of the ambulance to help,” Cole explained. “With the old ambulance, it was hard to get over people or navigate around them, especially when police are investigating. Now police can do their investigation and be out of the way, but still able to see what’s going on.”
Built on a seven-year rotation
The new ambulance replaces the department’s 2018 model, which will become the backup unit. An older 1996 ambulance will be retained as a reserve vehicle, though the department may eventually sell it.
The purchase follows the department’s established seven-year replacement schedule. Ambulances typically begin requiring more frequent repairs and become unreliable after that timeframe.
“We’re a small town, but we are busy,” Cole said. “Unfortunately, with the way the infrastructure is around here — the terrible streets, the tight streets — the rig gets beat up.”
Why AEV?
The department selected AEV after exploring multiple builders, drawn by the company’s in-house repair capabilities and customer service approach.
“With our current ambulance, we have to physically drive it down to Mokena and then take people out of service to drive it back,” Cole said. “Now AEV comes and handles the repairs in house. If they can’t fix it, they drive it themselves to the shop. We don’t have to leave the firehouse anymore.”
The company’s leadership personally met with the department during a factory tour in North Carolina, a level of engagement that impressed Cole.
“You never see the director of sales and operations of a multibillion-dollar company going out to lunch with you at a barbecue place,” Cole said. “They were just so friendly and so nice. Being in the fire service, you’re able to joke around with them, and it’s nice to be able to crack a joke with the director and have them laugh because it’s funny.”
Completely custom construction
Every detail of the ambulance was tailored to Summit’s specifications. The vehicle contains over one mile of electrical wiring and features custom cabinet configurations designed to accommodate the department’s specific equipment and operational needs.
“Most ambulance builders are just ‘here are three options, choose one,'” Cole said. “I said, ‘I want an extra 22 inches on this cabinet, I want this cabinet taken away, I want this cabinet 6 inches narrower, and I want that cabinet as wide as it’ll go.’ No problem, no questions asked, no extra charge.”
The ambulance was built entirely in North Carolina, with the chassis supplied by Ford and custom aluminum boxes constructed by a specialized builder. The build process takes 90 days from chassis assembly to final completion, with everything assembled on a custom production line.
“Everything is hand-built there, and everything is purpose-built,” Cole said. “That’s what makes it different — it’s completely tailored to our needs.”
Push-in ceremony
After delivery, Cole, members of the department, and village officials performed the traditional push-in ceremony.
The push-in ceremony, a tradition stretching back to the early 1900s when firefighters manually pushed horse-drawn engines back into the bay, marked the moment the ambulance became part of Summit’s identity. It was no longer a vehicle. It was theirs.