Cornwall-SDG Paramedic Services has introduced a new outreach vehicle, dubbed the Funbulance, to help residents learn more about local emergency services. Unveiled on March 16, 2026, the vehicle is a decommissioned ambulance that has been repurposed to serve as an interactive tool for community engagement across Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
According to the Cornwall-SDG Paramedic Services, the vehicle will appear at community festivals, parades, school presentations, and public safety demonstrations. Brian Dufresne, the Deputy Chief of Operations, stated that the Funbulance provides an interactive way for the community to gain a better understanding of the work performed by paramedics.
The vehicle features a custom mural designed by local artist Robbie Lariviere, which incorporates local landmarks and imagery related to emergency response. Officials noted that the ambulance was taken out of regular service due to high mileage and low resale value. Choosing to repurpose the vehicle for public education was determined to offer a greater benefit to the community than selling it.
The project was completed with a one-time investment of $1,500 for the new visual design, with estimated annual maintenance costs of approximately $1,500. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare in the region, which serves over 111,000 residents and visitors.
In addition to community outreach, the paramedic service recently participated for the first time in the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation‘s Dancing with the CCH Stars fundraiser. The 2026 event raised a total of $160,977.21 in net funds to purchase medical equipment for the hospital, including five new patient beds and a defibrillator for the Acute Medicine Unit.
