Local News in Brief : Ambulance Fleet Idled

The entire fleet of 27 Los Angeles County non-emergency ambulances was idle Wednesday after the California Highway Patrol completed an inspection for mechanical problems of those still on the road and pulled them from service.

The vehicles, which transport patients from their homes to clinics and carry them between county medical facilities, were removed from service because of problems ranging from faulty tailpipes and bald tires to loose steering mechanisms and brake defects.

Nineteen ambulances had been taken out of service earlier for repairs, and the CHP on Wednesday grounded the remaining eight in the fleet after an inspection requested by county officials, according to Marion Diamond, chief of management services for the county’s Emergency Medical Systems division.

“There have been no accidents nor injuries because of mechanical or safety problems,” said Diamond. She added that private ambulances, already on loan to the county, will transport patients until the county fleet is back in operation.