I recently noticed a paramedic driving a tractor tricked out like an ambulance. I know budgets are tight—but surely not that tight.—Robert Marcell, The Junction

Don’t worry—in addition to its 150 standard-issue ambulances, Toronto’s Emergency Medical Services runs a number of non-traditional vehicles. Besides the white vans, there are squad car–style Crown Victorias that act as high-speed first responders; an EMS/police boat with a full ambulance area for aquatic emergencies; and mountain bike mini-ambulances, which regularly patrol such crowded venues as the cavernous Metro Toronto Convention Centre. But while the bikes are extremely agile, the EMS tractor ambulances have seats for two crew members and compartments for meds and life support. They also come complete with built-in stretchers for ferrying victims. Some even sport a mini-siren mounted on a pole behind the driver’s seat for crowd-clearing purposes. A little embarrassing for the injured, perhaps, though surely better than being doubled on a paramedic’s handlebars.

• Categories: Miscellaneous