Poor Quality Manufacturing
This photo is of a Quebec manufactured ambulance after it was involved in a collision. The ambulance manufacturer obviously was not in compliance with any of the safety standards of the time. Instead of the ambulance body staying in a 'square' position to protect the occupants during the collision, the walls and roof of this ambulance simply fell apart! As well, the interior cabinets and squad bench all came apart.
The following photo description was written by Michael Harbec: "This ambulance was built by Franc Metal Inc. on Montreal's south shore. These bodies were originally built as mobile cantine modules, in anticipation of the 1984 Papal visit to Montreal. This company expected to sell many of them to local cantine companies. When that did not happen, Franc Metal sales staff solicited Montreal area ambulance service providers, who at that time, were allowed to build their own ambulances. These ambulances were built in different garages throughout the Montreal and Laval area, using what materials were avalable locally. Anti-skid flooring was installed as follows: install low quality sheeting, paint it, then sprinkle with sand. Doorlocks: go to the local hardware and buy a Weiss or other brand doorbolt type lock. Interior lighting was what the local auto body parts store had available. I believe this photo was of an ambulance that was T-boned at the corner of Sherbrooke and Marlowe in Westmount."
