Rehabilitation Truck: 7 Benefits for Emergency Response

Rehabilitation trucks, or mobile rehabilitation vehicles, are growing in prevalence across the United States as fire, police and emergency response agencies recognize the need and value of recuperation areas for first responders.

Agencies are learning that prolonged exposure to emergency and disaster scenes can be detrimental to the health of emergency workers. From rain and wind in hurricane response to hot, dry, and smokey air in fire rescue, first responders need areas to recover, replenish and recharge before they can rejoin the response efforts.

Let’s learn more about these unique specialty vehicles.

What is a Rehabilitation Truck?

A rehabilitation truck, or rehabilitation vehicle, is designed to support the mission of first responders while they are engaged in a prolonged response scenario.
When a large fire, situational response, or natural disaster requires ongoing first responder support, a rehabilitation truck is on the scene to support the team on the ground.

Rehabilitation trucks vary in size and complexity, but all are designed to carry strategic support materials to aid first responder health and wellness.

From a smaller unit built on a Ford Transit to a large 45-foot vehicle on a Pierce Velocity® custom chassis, rehabilitation vehicles are custom-made to match the unique needs of each department or agency. Some are intended for multipurpose use, while others perform very specific operations.

Below, we review some of the key benefits and what you might find on board.

What are the Key Benefits of A Rehabilitation Vehicle?

Rehabilitation vehicles are versatile, designed to meet an agency's unique needs. Each specialty vehicle is mission-ready, outfitted with equipment and materials to appropriately support the types of calls or emergencies an agency supports.

Here are just some of the key benefits rehab vehicles offer emergency responders:

1. Temperature-controlled areas. Whether first responders are up against hot and humid weather or frigid, sub-zero temperatures, rehab trucks offer temperature-controlled environments. Air conditioning and heat can help first responders recover so they can rejoin the response safely.
2. First aid and medical support. Some agencies use rehab trucks to hold emergency medical supplies, from small items like first aid kits and bandages to large items like oxygen and SCBA packs. Others use the vehicle as mobile medical support, where medical staff can take vitals, perform tests, and allow sick or injured patients a place to rest and recover.
3. Command center capabilities. Rehabilitation trucks can serve as mission control stations. Vehicles can include conference tables, workstations and advanced technology capabilities to monitor live news, host live events, and monitor emergency scenes with exterior cameras and lighting.
4. Communications support. Vehicles can be outfitted with WiFi, radios, phones and satellite transmission capabilities to keep communications online in even the most remote and harsh environments.
5. Additional gear, uniforms and equipment. Vehicles are designed to meet the mission requirements, and oftentimes that includes being prepared with extra emergency gear and equipment. Items like radios, chargers, blankets, lights and spare uniforms are often included to provide aid when hours turn to days on scene.
6. Nourishment and supply canteens. Access to refrigerated cold drinks and energy snacks can make a world of difference on the scene. Rehab trucks can include refrigerators and canteen windows to efficiently distribute water and food supplies.
7. Bathrooms and cleaning stations. Rehabilitation vehicles can be designed to include bathrooms and sinks or an external hose or shower station for gross decontamination. If first responders are exposed to toxins, soot or chemicals on scene, they can rinse off immediately and change into new gear. Cleaning systems can also be included in the side compartments, like this mobile decontamination unit example.

Let’s take a look at the most common rehabilitation vehicle sizes to see what you can find on board and how each unit has been designed to support the agency’s requirements.

C-24 Rehabilitation Vehicle

A 24-foot command unit, built for Williamson County Fire-Rescue, sits on a Ford Transit chassis and is designed as an agile, compact support vehicle. The truck features two electric awnings and storage areas large enough to house a table and chairs. This allows responders to set up shaded areas outside for rest and recovery.

To meet the county’s requirements, the rehabilitation unit features:

• A refrigerator and a portable freezer
• Portable lights and small support tools
• Communications technology
• Radio chargers
• A workstation area
• Custom aluminum storage shelves
• Two electric awnings with LED lighting
• Table and chair storage areas

See the specifications, a photo gallery and learn more about this vehicle now.

C-25 Rehabilitation Vehicle

The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department’s C-25 rehab vehicle was created to meet its unique needs. The department wanted a canteen truck that could house large refrigerators with a small, air-conditioned work and rest space inside.

The rehabilitation truck includes:

• Two commercial refrigerators and one commercial freezer
• An electric awning and drop-down service door
• A coffee maker and microwave oven
• Interior and exterior wash stations

See a gallery of interior images and learn more about this truck now.

C-35 Rehabilitation Vehicle

The C-35 rehabilitation vehicle designed for the City of El Paso Fire Department is built on a Ford F-750 Super Duty chassis. The department does not currently have a heavy-duty rescue apparatus, so they were looking to add a response vehicle with both rehabilitation and rescue capabilities that could also carry a lot of emergency equipment.

The rehabilitation truck features:

• A lavatory with exterior and interior entrances
• Flexible bench seating with storage under seat cushions
• Two oxygen storage tanks with interior regulators
• Slide out trays in the storage bays
• A rear entry door with handrail, fold-out steps with LED lights
• A 20' electric awning
• Dry-erase wall surfaces throughout
• Air-conditioned indoor rest area
• Specialized compartments to carry equipment including hydraulic rescue tools

See photos, specifications and learn more about this vehicle now.

Pierce Velocity® Custom Chassis C-46X-2 Rehabilitation Truck

The Pierce Velocity custom chassis built for Pasco County, Florida, was designed to offer exceptional on-site mobile rehabilitation capabilities. The truck includes many unique features to support on-site support, from a stocked kitchen to shade awnings and a large pass-through window to service crew outside the vehicle the rehab unit is designed to serve.

This unique rehab truck includes:

• Four 16’ electric awnings
• Two wet lavatories with exterior entrances
• Hand-washing sink at entry door to operations area
• Reclining bench seating in both large slide-outs with storage under cushions
• Two workstations
• Separate kitchen area with rear entry, 20 cu ft refrigerator, full-size freezer, two coffeemakers, microwave, sink and overhead aluminum storage cabinets
• Exterior monitor displays video for those working outside the vehicle

Why Choose Frontline Communications

Frontline Communications has been building custom communications, command and specialty vehicles since 1989. Our experience is unmatched, and our unique customer-focused approach allows us to design and manufacture mission-ready vehicles for each unique customer. With in-house designers, technical engineers and manufacturing, customers can feel confident in the quality and service support for the lifespan of the vehicle.

From mobile crime labs to SWAT, rehabilitation and bomb vehicles, Frontline Communications is a trusted partner for departments and agencies across North America.

Want to know more about rehabilitation vehicles? Contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!