Randolph County approves $1.36M for four new ambulances from Spartan Fire Apparatus

Randolph County is set to enhance its emergency response capabilities with the approval of a significant purchase of four new ambulances. During the July 7th Board of Commissioners meeting, officials discussed the urgent need for updated emergency vehicles, ultimately approving a budget of $1,360,140 for the acquisition.

The decision comes after complications with a previous order for two ambulances, which faced delays and communication issues, prompting the county to cancel the purchase. The new plan includes two ambulances carried over from the canceled order and two additional units for the current fiscal year. The selected provider, Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus from South Carolina, has four ambulances ready for customization, ensuring they can be operational within a couple of months.

Commissioner Donovan highlighted the importance of securing the best price through competitive bidding, noting that the new ambulances will be Type 1 Ford F3 4x4 Crestline models, each costing approximately $340,000. The county aims to maintain a fleet that can effectively respond to the community's needs, with 11 ambulances currently in operation daily.

In addition to the ambulances, the board also approved the purchase of three Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles for $159,021, which will serve as quick response units. These vehicles will replace older models, with plans to repurpose some of the retired units for other county departments.

The meeting also addressed staffing shortages in the 911 center, where only 20 out of 35 budgeted positions are fully trained. This shortage raises concerns about the center's ability to manage emergency calls effectively, emphasizing the need for ongoing recruitment and training efforts.

The approval of these purchases marks a proactive step by Randolph County to bolster its emergency services and ensure that residents receive timely and efficient assistance when needed.