Fuoco taking on paramedic duties

The largest capacity version of the Piaggio Group’s three-wheeled scooter, the Gilera Fuoco 500ie, will soon be handling paramedic duties in Victoria.

After a thorough selection process, the Fuoco got the green light ahead of BMW’s G 650 GS for the three-year, $3 million motorcycle paramedic trial, designed by the ruling Baillieu government to improve ambulance response times. It’s believed the Fuoco’s load-carrying capability and ability to wind its way through dense traffic were the key attributes which got it over the line.

Six Fuocos will be used in the three-year trial, and will concentrate on servicing the inner suburbs of Melbourne – ie dense, built-up areas -- but also regional centres like Geelong as required. The bikes will also be at events like the world Superbike and MotoGP rounds at Phillip Island.

“It’s all about how we quickly we can get to a patient and treat them,” Ambulance Victoria spokesman Tony Walker was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun newspaper. “If that person needs urgent attention, this paramedic can get to them and administer care until another ambulance arrives or cancel that ambulance if it’s no longer required.”

While the Fuoco – and its Piaggio MP3 siblings – takes on wet asphalt with the greatest of ease, it will only be used in dry conditions and only during daylight hours.

The motorcycle paramedic trial has been met with scepticism by the Victorian ambulance union, which is labelling the exercise “political” spin”, arguing the dollars could be better spent elsewhere.

The trial will commence in November.