A View From the Front Lines: A Paramedic’s Perspective on Type II Ambulances

Robbie Johnson, assistant chief of field operations and special operations at JanCare Ambulance, joins host Mike McCabe to share why Type II ambulances make up most of the agency’s fleet. Serving communities across West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, JanCare operates roughly 140 vehicles and responds to more than 100,000 calls annually.

Johnson explains how van-based ambulances help crews navigate narrow roads, mountainous terrain, and rural access challenges. He shares JanCare’s experience with purchasing costs, fuel expenses, reliability, maintenance, and vehicle availability. The conversation also addresses crew preferences, visibility, equipment storage, and the challenges of accommodating growing supply requirements within a smaller vehicle.

For agencies considering Type II ambulances, Johnson emphasizes evaluating required equipment, gathering crew feedback, and choosing a configuration that fits operational needs and budgets. He also discusses JanCare’s relationships with Medix and its dealer, along with the role of its in-house maintenance team in keeping vehicles available.

This episode is sponsored by Medix Specialty Vehicles.