CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Though Cranberry Township ambulances have served the community well, there's always room for improvement.

But - yellow? Well, it's the easiest color to see, and it's all about safety.

"This was about 18 months in production and research. We had a team of internal folks who wanted to design the safest ambulance literally in the country," said EMS Chief Jeff Kelly.

Kelly says there's only one other like it in the entire country. They own that one, too.

"This is the traditional style of the interior of the ambulance," he says, showing the interior of one of the older ambulances. "You can see there's a bench seat. There's no forward facing. Nothing safe or ergonomic about it."

But with the new design, he says, "The emergency medical technician can stay seated. They can stay restrained or belted in. And they can stay forward facing. They still have everything to work at arm's length."

There's the same amount of interior space, yet the vehicle itself is smaller.

The new rumbler siren actually causes vibrations in the road and nearby cars. There's is no excuse for not noticing.

"This light will actually create a wash about 60 feet out from the ambulance," the chief says, referring to a light below the front bumper.

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It's enough to light an entire intersection.

It's also a smoother ride for the patient. Yet the cost, $160,000, is comparable to one of the older models. And a new braking system automatically engages to avoid rear end collisions.

"We really thought that that was true to our heart to make sure that our folks are going to return home the same way they come to work," Chief Kelly says. "And by providing them this ambulance, we hope that would be the norm for years to come."