### Cruz Roja Tijuana Spends 7 Million Pesos Annually on Gasoline
Tijuana’s Red Cross (Cruz Roja Tijuana) expends an estimated 7 million pesos each year solely on gasoline for its fleet of emergency response vehicles, according to Alberto Quintanar, the director of the institution. The organization’s total annual expenses, including salaries, medications, and maintenance for service units, approach 45 million pesos.
Quintanar highlighted the various costs involved, noting that maintaining a single ambulance costs about 3.2 million pesos annually. “The city’s difficult terrain, with its many mountains, accelerates wear and tear on the vehicles,” Quintanar explained. Typically, an ambulance has a lifespan of three to four years due to these challenging conditions.
The institution faces a significant deficit of 6 million pesos despite raising 39 million pesos last year through various means, including license plate fees, property taxes, and their annual fundraising drive. Quintanar emphasized that they need to close this gap to continue their operations effectively.
Additionally, two new emergency units were acquired this year, and strategic points were established throughout the city to reduce response times. This has led to a decrease in emergency response time by five minutes. Quintanar mentioned that further reductions in response time would require at least two more units and additional bases in areas that facilitate faster access to emergencies.
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### Secondary Article: Challenges and Solutions for Emergency Medical Services in Tijuana
The Tijuana Red Cross is not alone in facing operational challenges. Across Mexico, emergency services grapple with similar issues, including funding deficits and the constant need to update and maintain equipment.
In Mexico City, the local Red Cross has also reported financial struggles. Dr. Juan Carlos, the head of Mexico City’s Red Cross, stated, “We are heavily reliant on donations and fundraising activities to keep our services running smoothly.” Much like Tijuana, Mexico City’s Red Cross has had to innovate to stretch their resources as far as possible, including developing partnerships with private entities to secure additional funding and support.
Another notable effort comes from the Red Cross in Guadalajara, where they’ve implemented advanced tracking systems for their ambulances. This allows them to optimize routes and dispatch the nearest available unit to emergencies, effectively reducing response times and improving patient outcomes.
Despite these efforts, experts agree that a more structured government support system is essential for sustaining these critical services. “Our goal should be to ensure that emergency medical services have the necessary resources to operate efficiently without having to endure constant financial strain,” said healthcare analyst Maria Perez.
For cities like Tijuana, innovative solutions and ongoing community support remain crucial in their mission to provide timely and effective emergency medical care.