• Wellington (Kansas) EMS reported a tire peeling off an ambulance.
• Woodson County (Kansas) was responding to a call in their new ambulance when an inside dual tire separated from the sidewall.
• Edwards County (Kansas) EMS reported two failures. In both cases the tread separated from the sidewall and caused damage to the wheel well.
• Sailna (Kansas) EMS had an inside dual blow out.
• Kingman (Kansas) EMS reported a detreading incident involving the Firestone tires on their new F-350 rescue truck. Two other tires show signs of a hairline crack intermittently around the tire where the sidewall meets the tread.
• Medco Ambulance Service (Kansas) Reported tread separation with a patient on board on the Kansas Turnpike. Major damage was reported to the wheel well.
• Medco Ambulance Service (Kansas) also reported tread separation on two other tires resulting in a rough ride. Both Medco reports were Firestone tires with more than 50% of the tread remaining.
• Transcare (Kentucky) reported three tire failures, all were Firestones on the rear with 50% treadware left. All incidents were during long transfers. One of the incidents did major damage to the wheel well and quarter panel. In all incidents the tread separated completely and cleanly from the sidewall, exposing the cords. At the request of their Firestone dealer, these tires were sent to the Firestone lab.
• Jewell County (Kansas) EMS has a Firestone inside dual blow out when the tread separated from the sidewall during a transfer. The tire had less than 20,000 miles on it at the time.
• Coffeyville (Kansas) EMS reported a right rear dual blew out when it separated on their new ambulance.

I have checked with NHTSA DOT and these tires are not on the recall list. However, their web site has an announcement that in part states, "NHTSA will continue its investigation to ascertain whether the scope of the recall is appropriate." In another paragraph it goes on to say, "NHTSA has continued its investigation into the remaining tires. As part of that investigation, NHTSA has reviewed data provided by Firestone on property damage claims, personal injury claims and lawsuits regarding the tires under investigation. Although the investigation is not complete, that review indicated the rate of tread separations for certain other tire models and sizes exceed those of the recalled tires, sometimes by a large margin. Therefore, NHTSA is concerned about the possible safety risk associated with those tires."

This Consumer Advisory goes on to state, "Since Firestone has not chosen to expand the recall at this time, you may not be able to obtain free replacement tires from Firestone. However, in light of these concerns, NHTSA recommends that you consider replacing the tires in question and that you retain all documentation.

To get the Firestone notice from NHTSA look at www.nhtsa.gov/hot/firestone