Council approves new power-loading cot and five-year warranty for ambulance; budget amendment of $5,780.01 approved

Fraser City Council on Sept. 11 approved the purchase of a power-loading cot and related equipment for a newly ordered ambulance and authorized a $5,780.01 budget amendment to cover the shortfall. The public-safety director explained the department needs the newer Stryker cot because the ambulance on order is not compatible with the older device.

"We were advised that the price is going up Oct. 1 by about 6%... so although I intended to wait ... I sought no reason to delay," the director told the council. Staff said the manufacturer offered roughly $6,500 for the buyback of the department’s old stretcher, and the department requested an extended five-year warranty (for a total of six years of coverage) and on-site ProCare maintenance.

Council member Baranski moved approval of the purchase; the council approved the purchase and later approved a budget amendment for $5,780.01 to account 210301972000 to round out the ambulance purchase. The council also approved the capital purchase coming from the ambulance capital outlay fund, not the city's general fund.

Staff said the intent is to standardize the stretcher and related equipment across units (monitors, Lucas devices, power-load cot) for interoperability and to reduce technician injuries and operational complexity. The manufacturer will not deliver the cot until the department needs it, staff said, to avoid warranty time being used before in-service date.