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Finance Committee approves $300,000 allocation to buy used ambulance for West Bend fire/EMS fleet
Summary
The Finance Committee approved a resolution to appropriate funds to purchase a used ambulance from another jurisdiction for about $300,000, increasing the city fleet from four to five units to improve redundancy during high call volumes.
The Finance Committee voted Jan. 6 to approve a resolution authorizing appropriations to buy a used ambulance from a neighboring department for $300,000.
The city’s Fire Chief described the fleet need and the options staff considered. "We currently have 4 ambulances in operation right now," the chief said, noting that it is common for three to be on calls simultaneously and that the city has experienced times when all four were out and a mutual aid ambulance had to be requested. The chief said a new ambulance, with equipment, would cost roughly $500,000, whereas a comparable used vehicle available from the Key Weston (Keywestin/Kewaston) Fire Department could meet the city's needs and would be more economical.
The chief told the committee the used unit is a 2020 chassis delivered in 2021, with about 40,000 miles, a diesel engine and four‑wheel drive. Reliant (a mechanical assessor) inspected the vehicle and found it mechanically sound, and recent preventative maintenance and new front tires had been completed. The estimated useful additional service life was eight to 10 years, the chief said. After market checks — which produced examples in the $190,000–$250,000 range but with configuration differences — the city negotiated a purchase price of $300,000 with Key Weston.
Committee members praised the chief’s due diligence. Alderman Zingshime clarified that the purchase was a separate commercial transaction and not contingent on the mutual‑aid arrangement the city has with the neighboring district. Alderman Sparks, who has prior experience specifying lifeline ambulances, said the quoted pricing was in line with expectations and that adding equipment to a new chassis commonly adds tens of thousands of dollars.
Alderman Allen moved approval; Alderman Bergquist seconded. The committee approved the appropriation by unanimous voice vote.
Why it matters: The purchase increases fleet redundancy to reduce reliance on mutual aid when multiple calls occur and to cover maintenance downtime. The chief’s presentation compared lifecycle and cost tradeoffs between buying a new vehicle and acquiring a used, similarly configured unit.
