Cheshire County reallocates $431,000 ARPA ambulance purchase to two Type 3 ambulances, commissioners approve

Summary

On Feb. 5 the Cheshire County commissioners voted to direct county EMS to replace a paid-for bariatric ambulance order with two Type 3 ambulances, using ARPA funds and authorizing up to $10,000 in additional spending. County EMS leaders said the change better matches current emergency-call needs and will improve reliability and operating costs.

Cheshire County commissioners on Feb. 5 approved a motion directing Cheshire County EMS to alter its ambulance order: rather than take delivery of a bariatric ambulance that the county previously funded with ARPA money, EMS will purchase two standard Type 3 ambulances expected for delivery in November 2025, with additional funding capped at $10,000.

The motion, made by Davis (role not specified) and seconded (second not specified in the transcript), passed unanimously: Commissioner Clark, Commissioner Stewart and Commissioner DeBernardo voted yes.

County EMS Captain Cummings, who identified himself as the fleet manager for Cheshire County EMS, told commissioners the system’s call mix has shifted since the county purchased six ambulances with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. "When Cheshire County EMS was established, it was based on the expectation ... that our service would primarily focus on inter facility transfers," Cummings said. He said that actual operations now are roughly 65% emergency responses and 35% interfacility transfers, and that the specialized bariatric vehicle has not been needed in any recorded instance since operations began.

"Despite investing $431,000…

Cheshire County reallocates $431,000 ARPA ambulance purchase to two Type 3 ambulances, commissioners approve

Summary

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