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Manchester Township to buy heavy‑duty ambulance after county approves $448,897 EMS distribution
Summary
Commissioners approved a supplemental EMS distribution to Manchester Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue to buy a demo heavy‑duty ambulance; department and commissioners said Local Income Tax (LIT) funding has improved EMS coverage countywide.
Commissioners approved a supplemental distribution of $448,897 from the EMS Local Income Tax to Manchester Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue so the unit can take delivery of a demo ambulance in November.
The distribution was authorized after Kevin Haflin and other speakers described a multi‑year effort to replace an aging frontline ambulance and to expand coverage. "We talked to the Horton manufacturer ... it met all of our specifications," said a Manchester Township representative, who explained the department selected a one‑and‑a‑half‑ton chassis (F550) demo unit because it offers greater power, ground clearance and heavy‑duty construction for rural terrain.
Why it matters: Manchester Township has roughly 3,500 residents and in the past two years run volume more than doubled, officials said. The new unit, a heavier chassis with added safety restraints and four‑wheel‑drive capability, is intended to reduce times when crews must travel off‑road to reach crashes, ATVs or remote driveways. The department expects a service life of at least 10–12 years at current run volumes.
Commissioners and the department also credited county LIT funding for broader county EMS improvements. "This money allowed us to start attracting people ... by the time we started 2025, we're up to 100% as far as making our run calls," the Manchester speaker said, summarizing recruitment and staffing gains tied to LIT support.
Discussion: Department representatives said the higher price reflects the heavier chassis (about $30,000 more than a 1‑ton chassis) and demo‑unit features including forward‑fitted occupant restraints that manufacturers expect will be required in future federal/state regulatory changes. The department also said heavier chassis improve off‑road performance even though the vehicle weighs roughly 7,000 pounds more than the previous 1‑ton unit.
Formal action: Commissioners moved to approve a 2025 contract for a supplemental distribution for Manchester Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue for the equipment purchase. The motion was seconded and approved. No dissent was recorded in the transcript.
What’s next: Staff and Manchester officials will complete contract signatures and arrange delivery. Commissioners and the department said they expect the unit to arrive in November.
