Carmel council approves $204,362 transfer to re‑chassis two ambulances

The Carmel Common Council on Nov. 3 approved a $204,362 transfer within the Ambulance Capital Fund to allow the fire department to pay off existing capital leases and re‑chassis two ambulances.

Zach, a department presenter, told the council that rechassising replaces the vehicle chassis — the frame, engine and suspension — while keeping the ambulance box and medical equipment. He said rechassising typically takes about eight weeks and is “much more cost efficient and much quicker” than ordering a new ambulance, which he estimated could take a year and a half to arrive and cost “in the ballpark of a half million dollars.” He added the rechassising approach supports sustainability by reusing the serviceable box.

Councilors asked for details on what the chassis replacement includes and on typical ambulance lifecycles. Zach said a chassis commonly endures five to seven years in heavy emergency-service use and that rechassising costs are “slightly less than half” of a new ambulance.

Councilor Snyder said he supported the transfer, calling the department’s proposal “rock solid.” The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution transferring $204,362 within the Ambulance Capital Fund.

The transfer was described as a capital‑fund accounting action to clear existing leases so the department can proceed with the rechassis work. No new procurement of a complete ambulance was authorized in the approved item; councilors said the department could still request a new vehicle in the future if needed.

What’s next: the department will complete the lease payoff and schedule the rechassis work. No implementation timeline beyond the general eight‑week estimate was provided at the meeting.