Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – After months of facing critical ambulance shortages, Puerto Vallarta’s Civil Protection department received a significant upgrade on Wednesday, February 21st. Four brand new ambulances, equipped for various emergency situations, were delivered at a ceremony held at the Agustín Flores Contreras stadium.
The acquisition, costing a total of 7.7 million pesos (approximately $385,000 USD), represents a major investment in the city’s emergency response capabilities. Mayor Luis Michel acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating, “Head of Civil Protection Gerardo expressed the need for vans and ambulances. We decided to acquire four new, fully equipped ones to handle emergencies within the city and potentially support neighboring municipalities.”
The need for new ambulances became evident in mid-2023. Frequent breakdowns and a limited fleet left the department struggling to respond effectively to emergencies. Paramedics were often forced to rely on motorcycles, leading to citizen complaints about delayed care.
The four new ambulances join three currently on loan from the Emergency Medical Care System (SAMU), which will undergo repairs. This significantly increases the department’s capacity to respond to medical emergencies and ensures more timely assistance for injured individuals.
Additionally, Mayor Michel presented a new vehicle valued at 1.8 million pesos (approximately $90,000 USD) to the Municipal Sports Council (Comude). This dedicated van will be used to transport athletes to competitions, further demonstrating the city’s commitment to both public safety and youth development initiatives.
