These First Responder Vehicles (FRVs) are based on the Hero Xtreme 200R motorcycle
Most automakers in India are playing significant roles in performing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to aid in mitigating the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Hero MotoCorp is no exception.
As a part of the CSR initiative, Hero MotoCorp has delivered two units of First Responder Vehicles (FRV) to the Civil Hospital in Gurugram. These specially designed vehicles will help to reach out to COVID-19 positive patients in rural and remote areas and help in shifting them to the hospital for treatment. Last month, Hero handed over two such first-responder vehicles to authorities at Community Health Centres in Neemrana and Mundawar, Alwar district, Rajasthan.
Custom-Built as an Accessory on the Xtreme 200R
These FRV’s are custom built as an accessory on the Hero Xtreme 200R motorcycle and is fitted with a stretcher with a foldable hood which is mounted on the side of the vehicle. It also gets equipped with a detachable first aid kit, oxygen cylinder, fire extinguisher and an emergency public announcement system with a siren and foldable beacon light as is normally seen on any full sized ambulance.
In stock format, the Hero Xtreme 200R is powered by a 199.6 cc, single cylinder, air cooled engine offering 18.1 hp power and 17.1 Nm torque. The engine is a 2 valve unit sending power to rear wheel via a 5 speed gearbox. The engine will work harder in terms of the FRV due to extra weight involved.
The FRVs are designed and developed at the Hero Center of Innovation and Technology in Jaipur and New Model Center in Gurgaon. The vehicles were handed over by Mr. Vijay Sethi – Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head – Corporate Social Responsibility, Hero MotoCorp, and Dr. Shriniket Mishra – Chief Medical Officer – Hero MotoCorp to Dr. Virender Yadav, Chief Medical Officer, Gurugram in the presence of Shri. Ashok Sangwan – IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Gurugram and Shri. Amit Khatri – IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram.
The specially designed and equipped FRVs are convenient owing to their lithe and compact size. Two wheelers for long have been the wheels of choice for transport in rural areas, and their utility as a transporter will find quick acceptance. They can be pressed into service in quick time based on initial patient diagnosis.
Apart from presenting these two FRVs to the Civil Hospital in Gurugram, Hero MotoCorp is also in the process of manufacturing more such first responder vehicles which will make their way to other local hospitals across India.
Along with this initiative, Hero MotoCorp has also extended support in view of the coronavirus pandemic by distributing 14 lakh meals, 37,000 liters of sanitizer and 30 lakh facemasks along with 15,000 PPE kits to frontline workers in both Government hospitals and the Police Department.