HERSHEY, Pa. — A new pediatric ambulance has joined the Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care Transport fleet.

The new ambulance features several pieces of specialty equipment, including a transport isolette for infants, a ventilator and a more robust oxygen system as compared to a regular ambulance. It also features additional space in the patient compartment, which allows for as many as five caregivers to administer care during the transport of ill or injured infants and children.

The newest pediatric ambulance is a mobile intensive care unit, providing the same advanced level of care as Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, the region’s only freestanding children’s hospital and only Level 1 trauma center for children. The ambulance is staffed by an emergency medical technician, critical care paramedic and critical care transport registered nurse.

“While this highly equipped ambulance is an asset to the communities we serve, what makes this vehicle special is the team that staffs it around the clock,” said Keith McMinn, director of Life Lion Services at Penn State Health.

Funding from the Children’s Miracle Network helped to make the purchase of the new, specially equipped ambulance possible.

Those gathered for a June 4 news conference heard from Janette Migliori, whose daughter Joella, a Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Child, was transported by pediatric ambulance to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital from another hospital in the region moments after she was born. Today, Joella is an energetic 8-year-old girl who loves amusement parks and crafts — and who has a special fondness for the Life Lion fleet, calling them “my ambulances.”

The new ambulance replaces an older model and is one of two such vehicles operated by Life Lion.