Kingman EMS reported a detreading incident involving the Firestone R4S LT235/85/R16 tires on their new F350 rescue truck. Two other tires show signs of a hairline crack intermittently around the tire where the sidewall meets the tread.

Medco Ambulance Service in Wichita reported tread separation with a patient on board on the Kansas Turnpike. Major damage was reported to the wheel well.

Medco also reported tread separation on two other tires resulting in a rough ride. These tires were replaced before the tread came off. Both Medco reports were Firestone tires with more than 50% of the tread remaining.

The other tires involved are Firestone Steeltex Radial R4S LT 225/75/R16.

The Kansas EMS board yesterday reported the following possible failures:

• Wellington Fire/EMS reported a tire that peeled off an ambulance.
• Woodson County EMS was responding to a call in their new ambulance when an inside dual tire reportedly separated from the sidewall.
• Edwards County EMS reported two failures. In both cases the tread reportedly separated from the sidewall and caused damage to the wheel well.
• Salina EMS reportedly had an inside dual blow out.

Dr. Wayne Hollis of the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services has proposed that the board become a clearinghouse for ambulance tire failure information. 

Hollis requests that reports of any tire failures include a brief description of the incident, make and model of ambulance, and specific information on the tire(s) involved.

Reports can be submitted by electronic mail at examinations@juno.com or through the board's Internet site at www.ksbems.org