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Upon returning to campus for the spring semester, Villanova Emergency Medical Services found that while Christmas was over, its best gift had yet to arrive. On Jan. 21, VEMS received a long anticipated 2003 Horton ambulance, a trade in for its former 1996 model.

“Everyone was like a kid at Christmas,” VEMS president John Wenzel said, commenting on the ambulance’s arrival. “This is an incredible piece of equipment…perfectly state of the art and Villanova couldn’t have better on its campus.”

The new ambulance boasts an upgraded, more automatic system. Whereas the ’96 model had basic light switches, the new model came with electronically controlled suction and oxygen devices, a built in digital warning system and independently controlled lights.

According to Wenzel, much of the medical equipment was switched over, but the “the quality of construction…the floors, the countertops have been very much upgraded.”

Unlike many other emergency medical services VEMS only has one ambulance; hence it is vulnerable to daily use and weather. “We really needed this new ambulance…the old one was showing its age,” Wenzel said.

The cost of the ambulance was funded by the administration. Wenzel plans to hold a formal dedication ceremony in April, as part of a thank you for administrative support. “The Administrative worked very hard to get this for us, so we want to have a formal event in order to give something back to them.”

Wenzel expects the new ambulance to last several years. “Horton is the proven industry leader for turning out outstanding quality products,” he said. “The selection process went through several different vendors, but Villanova chose Horton, which was the best model possible.”