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Portsmouth approves up to $70,000 to buy a 2024 police/fire support vehicle
Summary
The council authorized spending up to $70,000 from the public safety capital improvement plan to purchase a 2024 Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicle for EMS and paramedic response; the motion passed unanimously.
The Portsmouth Town Council unanimously approved spending up to $70,000 from the public safety capital improvement plan to buy a 2024 Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicle to support emergency medical services.
Chief Ford told the council the vehicle — described during the agenda as a 2024 Ford Interceptor and in remarks as a Ford Explorer — would serve as an EMS “chase car” when paramedic-level care is needed and when rescues are already committed. The chief said the town is upgrading its EMS licensing so more members will operate at the paramedic level beginning in July; the new vehicle would be equipped and licensed for paramedic care.
Chief Ford said the vendor quoted a vehicle with lighting package at just over $48,000; the town received a $5,500 credit because the vehicle was a leftover 2024 model. Lettering and graphics were estimated at about $2,000, and additional radios and equipment could raise the total into the mid-$60,000 range. Because equipment lead times can be long, the department asked for flexibility and requested authorization “up to $70,000,” the amount budgeted in the capital plan. Councilors asked about the lettering and radio cost breakdown; Chief Ford said the public safety capital plan is a special fund and unspent funds remain available for future use.
A motion to approve the purchase from the public safety capital improvement plan passed 7–0.
What it means: the vehicle will be added to the department fleet and equipped for paramedic responses; if the existing Explorer is retired, the department may transfer or sell it per town policy. The chief said staff sometimes transfers surplus equipment to island partners when appropriate.
