The territory’s latest efforts to upgrade its fleet of 23 ambulances is coming in at a cost of $310,000 with the purchase of the two new state-of-the-art units.

Yukon Emergency Medical Services staff were joined by Community Services Minister Brad Cathers late Wednesday morning at the territory’s Emergency Response Centre off the Alaska Highway near Two Mile Hill.

There, they showed off one of the two new ambulances and began loading in the more than 1,000 medical supplies.

The new ambulances are replacing two older units from 1992.

The new ambulances are to be used in Whitehorse while two older ones make their way to the communities. That means the oldest ambulances in the territory’s fleet can be retired.

As Jeff Simons, the acting director of Yukon Emergency Medical, explained to reporters following the speeches and photos, having the new units in Whitehorse means they are closer to repair services if anything should go wrong or work be required.

The new ambulances are the same as the two purchased by the Yukon government last February.

“We love them,” Simons said of the new models, noting that improved lighting, and a number of other features have helped make EMS safer on the road and at emergency scenes.

By far the “favourite feature” of paramedics driving them is the back-up camera in the vehicles, Simons said.

He pointed out ambulances often have to get in and out of tight spaces. The backup cameras mean paramedics can better see pedestrians, other vehicles and such when they’re backing up.

“By upgrading and replacing units with modern ambulances, Yukon EMS paramedics and emergency response volunteers will better meet the needs of patients,” Cathers said.

He praised the work of paramedics and volunteers in the communities who provide emergency pre-hospital care to patients.

The vehicles were built in B.C. to operate in the harsher winter conditions the Yukon typically sees.

As the government noted, there are multiple electrical and oxygen units in the ambulances to allow greater flexibility in caring for patients’ needs.

The new units also offer a scene-lighting system, brighter emergency lights, improved reflective markings, the backup camera and a treatment area camera which all contribute to safer operations.

Simons also took the opportunity to call on the public to do their part in keeping the roads safe for paramedics responding to calls.

“With the holiday season upon us, Yukoners are urged to take special care to prevent injuries and medical emergencies,” he said.

“We ask Yukoners to pull over and come to a halt when an ambulance approaches with its lights flashing, to pace themselves when decorating and shoveling snow, to stay rested and to remember to take their medications on time while in the excitement of the holiday season.”

Thus far in 2014, EMS has responded to 5,094 calls across the territory.

A total of 835 air medevacs have been made from rural communities to Whitehorse or to medical facilities Outside.