Saving Lives on Wheels

Objective

This project will strengthen pre-hospital emergency care capacity in Morelia, Michoacán, by establishing a rapid first-response motorcycle medical unit program integrated with the existing emergency dispatch system of the H. Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios Rescate y Salvamento de Michoacán I.A.P. (Volunteer Fire, Rescue and Lifesaving Corps of Michoacán), Morelia Section.

The project is designed to reduce first-response times in high-density urban and peri-urban sectors where conventional ambulances face delays due to traffic congestion or limited maneuverability. The grant will support agile response units, essential early-stabilization equipment, responder training, dispatch integration and a monitoring system to track operational and health-service outcomes.

Direct beneficiaries will be residents of priority service zones in Morelia who face delayed access to emergency care in cases such as cardiac arrest, severe trauma, respiratory compromise and other life-threatening conditions. Indirect beneficiaries will include the broader emergency care system, which will benefit from faster scene arrival, earlier life-saving intervention and improved coordination before patient transport.

Project design

Acquisition and immediate deployment of 10 fully equipped motorcycles:

• 4 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (2025) motorcycles, equipped with siren, horn, warning lightbar, 4-point LED lighting module, cargo rack, 40-liter top case and side cargo bags.
• 3 QJ Adventure SRT 550 SX (2025) motorcycles, equipped with siren, horn, warning lightbar, 4-point LED lighting module, cargo rack, 40-liter top case, side cargo bags and side case mounts.
• 3 KTM Adventure 390 (2024) motorcycles, equipped with siren, horn, warning lightbar, 4-point LED lighting module, cargo rack, 40-liter top case, side cargo bags and side case mounts.
• 10 Zegen automated external defibrillators (AEDs), each with two batteries.

Beneficiaries

Morelia city and metropolitan area: 2,135,736 inhabitants.

Sustainability

The project is viable in the long term in the following areas:

• Human resources: the motorcycles will be operated by paramedics. The corporation already has this staff, who are certified (NOM-034) and receive constant training, so no new hiring is required and staffing continuity is ensured.
• Operational model: the role of the motorcycle ambulances is clearly defined: they will function as first-contact units to stabilize the patient while the main ambulance arrives for transport. This is an efficient and proven model.
• Institutional experience: the organization (Rescate Michoacán) is a private assistance institution (I.A.P.) with 48 years of history (founded in 1977), demonstrating a long track record and institutional stability.
• Justification of need: the project's necessity is solidly argued based on conditions in Morelia (public works, protests, traffic), the large number of neighborhoods (over 2,000) and areas with difficult access for large vehicles. This ensures the units will have a relevant and continuous impact.

Partner organizations

• H. Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios Rescate y Salvamento de Michoacán I.A.P. (Rescate Michoacán), Morelia Delegation

Monitoring and evaluation

Every week, once a month.

Implementation year

2026