Muskogee Ambulances Get New Design

By Rick Wells, News On 6

MUSKOGEE, OK -- The ambulances of Muskogee County EMS will be sporting a new look. The new, more colorful design was produced by one of the system's own paramedics.

Ambulances have looked pretty much the same for decades with orange trim and blue letters. That's not the case anymore. A couple of years ago the state lifted the restrictions on design and Muskogee has a new look.

"We had kicked around some ideas a few months ago," said Johnny Alberty, Muskogee Paramedic Supervisor.

Johnny Alberty is one of Muskogee's Paramedic Supervisors. He says his boss knew he had some artistic talent and asked him to come up with a few designs.

So, Alberty sat down and started doodling.

"I just did a rough outline of what an ambulance looks like and then just started laying things in," said Alberty. "There was a few things the employees wanted -- the American flag, we wanted that incorporated, the star of life, which goes hand in hand with EMS and the state of Oklahoma on the side, no matter where we are everyone will know where we're from," said Alberty.

Alberty says he did about 20 different designs. Those were narrowed to 3 or 4. The employees voted on a favorite.

They selected the design Alberty hoped they would.

"The one we have now was my favorite and I was hoping it would be for everyone else," said Alberty.

They took the final design to Jamison Graphics, a local design company. They printed it on vinyl and did the finished wrap on the ambulance.

A distinctive design that he created will be on Muskogee ambulances for years to come.

"I was honored to be asked to do it," said Alberty.

Muskogee has 20 ambulances. So far, two of them have the new design. As existing units are retired, the replacements will be wrapped in the new design.