The new purchases will include 150 type-3 ambulance vans and 65 type-2 vans equipped with advanced medical facilities, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, chairman of SRCA, who signed an agreement said the contract was signed in line with the desire of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to develop ambulance services.
"We are making continuous efforts to improve medical ambulance services and modernize our ambulance fleet," the prince told the official news agency.
Type I and III ambulances have a square patient compartment that is mounted onto the chassis. The only difference between Type I and III is in the chassis. Type I and III ambulances are mostly used at airports, chemical plants and oil refineries.
Type II ambulances are built using a van type chassis. The only major modification to the vehicle is that the roof is raised. Type II ambulances are mostly used by hospitals, the Ministry of Health and when the ambulance is used to transport patients that only require Basic Life Support features.
Last week, the SRCA signed another agreement with McKinsey & Company to prepare a 10-year development plan for the organization. Prince Faisal said the agreement would lead to a face-lift in the Red Crescent's activities in the future.
"We have selected the most qualified and experienced partner for the project," he said, adding that the company would prepare the plan for SRCA's immediate and future requirements.
The company would also study SRCA's present condition and evaluate the level of its workers to determine its position in the world's emergency medical service providers. It will compare the authority's services with global best practices to identify strong and weak points and set out future development plans.
The SRCA had previously conducted a number of strategic studies to improve its first-aid services. "This project is a proactive step to prepare for the coming generations," the chairman said.
