Fraser City Council voted to authorize purchase of a new 2026 Horton Type 1 Ford F-554 diesel ambulance, approving expenditure not to exceed $364,103 from the ambulance capital account to replace an aging 2012 unit.
Director of Public Safety explained the current secondary ambulance has about 113,000 miles, electrical charging issues and out-of-warranty equipment. The department asked to replace that vehicle and move the 2020 main ambulance into the backup role. Captains and paramedics formed a selection subcommittee that recommended a vendor (EV Plus / Horton) familiar with existing equipment; the recommended rig has a six-month guaranteed delivery window.
The director said the initial budget estimate was $350,000; the final purchase price is roughly $14,000 higher. Council and staff noted the ambulance line in the budget actually holds $450,000 for the capital item, leaving funds available to address the patient cot replacement that will be needed later. The council approved the purchase and directed staff to proceed with ordering and to return for cot approval when a current quote is available.
Councilors emphasized the operational importance of a reliable ambulance fleet, citing a past incident in which mutual-aid response delays had serious consequences. The department said the new rig will come prewired for the cot, shortening the time to place the vehicle into service once delivered.