SEGUIN, Texas – Two infectious disease ambulances recently hit the streets of Seguin, thanks to $489,100 in grant funding the Seguin Fire Department received from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
The new Infectious Disease Response Units (IDRUs) are specially-equipped with a ceiling-mounted surface disinfection system, ultraviolet air purifiers, antimicrobial grab bars and a sealed rear cab with driver monitor communication, among other technological upgrades. The ambulances were manufactured by Frazer Ambulance Co. in Houston.
In early 2023, the Seguin Fire Department (SFD) received a Community Resiliency Award (CRP) funded through the Community Development Block Grant – CARES Act Program for the purchase of the two units. The CRP is designed to help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 (or the potential for other pandemics) by creating, expanding or enhancing public services that provide medical care, among other things, in an effort to increase the community’s long-term resiliency and ability to mitigate future outbreaks.
“This is a big improvement for our emergency medical service,” Seguin Fire Chief Dale Skinner said. “The new IDRUs have the highest technology systems available, whether it’s COVID or anything else, that protects patients and our own personnel, giving them peace of mind,” he said.
