Cascade City Council approves purchase of Lifeline ambulance with gasoline engine

The Cascade City Council on Oct. 27 approved Resolution 102-25 to purchase a new ambulance for Cascade EMS, choosing a Lifeline model with a gasoline engine. The motion to untable the resolution was made by Delaney and approved by roll call before the council voted to adopt the purchase recommendation.

Kim, a city staff member who presented ambulance quotes to the council, said the packet included two vendor quotes — Lifeline and Demers — and that staff recommended the Lifeline with a gas motor because it would save about $10,000 compared with a diesel option. “Our vote is for a lifeline and a gas motor, and that would save us $10,000 going a gas over a diesel,” Kim said.

Councilmembers asked operational questions about longevity, fueling and fleet labeling. Staff said Lifeline units are supported by a nearby service provider in southern Iowa and that the department expects to get roughly 20 years of service from current units. The council discussed fuel-card options that can limit purchases to the correct fuel type and adding clear dash decals indicating whether a rig requires diesel or gasoline.

Councilmember Oliphant made the motion to approve the staff recommendation; the motion passed on roll-call votes with each named councilmember voting “Aye.” No member recorded a vote against or an abstention in the record.

Council members and staff noted lead times: Lifeline ambulances may take about two years to be delivered, and while orders can be changed, the city would face additional expense to alter engine specifications after contracting. Staff said the department would place the order and implement fuel and labeling procedures to reduce the risk of misfueling.