North Shore Health introduces custom ambulance as the summer season approaches

North Shore Health Emergency Medical Services will add a custom ambulance this summer as crews respond to calls across Cook County.

The vehicle is the first four-wheel-drive ambulance in the fleet, a feature that helps responders navigate the county’s varied terrain in all types of weather.

“What makes this unique is that we worked as a team — our core group of crew members, boots on the ground day in and day out, helped design and build this,” Emergency Medical Services Director Karla Pankow told WTIP.

North Shore Health purchased the ambulance in spring 2024. New ambulances typically have a waiting period of about 580 days, and the vehicle entered service in August 2025 as the summer season was winding down.

The ambulance also features a liquid-spring suspension system, designed to improve ride quality for both the crew and patients.

Another feature is the “bear hugger,” a system that uses heated air circulated through tubes to warm hypothermic patients.

In addition to the new ambulance, North Shore Health operates two standard box-style ambulances. When responders cannot reach patients by road, they may paddle into lakes or rely on air transport.

“The challenging part of that, of course, is that about only 180 days of the year can ‘flight’ actually fly due to weather,” Pankow said.

EMS call volume is highest in winter and summer, as people head to ski hills and hiking trails.

As outdoor recreation increases, Pankow encouraged people to take precautions.

“Have a buddy system, have those Plan B’s and C’s in place,” Pankow said. “Make sure that you know your limitations. Oftentimes, when we get called out to these calls, people are unfamiliar with the geography.”

Pankow also encouraged people to bring more food, water and electrolytes than they think they will need, along with necessary medications.

For longer trips or travel in remote areas, she said satellite communication apps and first-aid kits should be part of preparations.

“Think ahead about the weather and the risks that you might run into there, ” Pankow told WTIP. “I don’t think you can overly prepare.”

The ambulance will be on display at the Cook County Emergency Services Conference on Saturday, May 2, at the Cook County Community Center.

WTIP spoke to Pankow about the new addition to the fleet and EMS’s preparations for the upcoming summer. The audio of that conversation is available below.

Josh Hinke May 2, 2026