During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the urgent need for new emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles following two accidents involving their medic units. The first incident occurred on May 3rd, resulting in the total loss of Medic 4, while a second accident on June 29th involved Medic 1, with both accidents deemed the fault of other drivers according to police reports.

As a result of these incidents, the EMS fleet has been reduced to four operational trucks, which is the minimum required for daily operations. Currently, there is no backup unit available. Efforts are underway to license Medic 3 after engine replacement, which would bring the total to five operational units.

The discussion highlighted the challenges in acquiring new vehicles, with estimates indicating that a new build could take until mid-2027. However, a potential opportunity has arisen to purchase a Demers unit from Pinnacle EMS, which is currently being delivered to a dealer. The quoted price for this unit is $288,625, which is lower than the previously budgeted amount of $303,000 for a new build in 2025. The new unit also offers additional storage space, a critical factor for the EMS team.

Funding for this purchase includes $258,775 from the 2020 ARPA funds and $74,531 from the insurance claim for Medic 4, totaling $333,306. If the unit is acquired, it would leave approximately $44,681 in available funds.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the competitive market for ambulances, with reports indicating that similar units are in high demand and may be sold quickly. Officials emphasized the need for prompt action to secure the new vehicle, as the opportunity could be lost if not acted upon swiftly.