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Surry County approves purchase of demo ambulance amid fleet shortages
Summary
After recent collisions and long factory lead times, the Surry County board authorized buying a ready demo ambulance to keep emergency medical services running; funding will come from general fund contingency and a reallocation from a jail study line.
Surry County commissioners voted Feb. 3 to authorize the county to purchase a demonstration ambulance after hearing emergency services leaders say fleet shortages and a crash left the county's ambulance capacity strained.
Eric Southern, Surry County emergency services director, told the board that one ambulance was struck Jan. 27 while transporting a patient; those involved received minor injuries. Southern said the county has 12 vehicles in its fleet but only eight in regular service and two reserves. He said a remount is scheduled for one vehicle that might return to service in March, but if that ambulance goes out for remounting the county would be left with just one in reserve.
"We're at a critical junction right now," Southern said, describing long manufacturer lead times for new chassis and ambulance bodies. Southern said a vehicle ordered and approved in the current budget carries a delivery window of July 2026 to as late as January 2027. He presented a demo ambulance available now that meets several of the county's Type 1 safety specifications and said the manufacturer offered a turnkey package including equipment, graphics and stretcher integration.
County managers and finance-committee members told commissioners that funds could be found within the current fiscal year budget: general fund contingency and about $140,000 set aside for a sheriff's office/jail feasibility study that county staff said could be reallocated. County staff said a budget amendment to fund the purchase would be presented to the board Feb. 17.
The board approved a motion to allow staff to purchase the demo ambulance and to return with a budget amendment. The motion passed with no recorded opposition.
In discussion, Southern described changes in the ambulance-manufacturing market that have contributed to delays. He said longstanding local manufacturers such as American Emergency Vehicles and Northwestern Emergency Vehicles have been consolidated into larger corporate groups (the Rev Group), shifting production geographically and lengthening lead times.
Commissioners asked about warranty, equipment transfers and whether insurance would cover costs for the damaged vehicle; Southern said the demo purchase price is a turnkey quote and that insurance outcomes for the wrecked ambulance remain unresolved. County staff said they will present firm price and funding details in the budget amendment scheduled for the board's next meeting.
