Citizen Portal
Sign In

County reviews ambulance replacements and requests $157,048 for life‑saving equipment

Appling County Board of Commissioners · February 24, 2026

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Staff told commissioners that three ambulances are aging and accrue about 5,000 miles per month; they discussed buy vs. lease, the feasibility of reusing ambulance boxes, and the need to replace unsupported life packs. A motion to table the ambulance purchase was made pending cost details; a separate motion to buy four life packs at an estimated $157,048 was made and seconded (vote not recorded in the transcript segments provided).

Appling County staff told commissioners the ambulance fleet is aging: "We have 3 ambulances, 2 that are over 100,000 miles. 1 of them is rapidly approaching." Staff said the county puts about 5,000 miles a month on these units and that lead times for new ambulances can be six to 12 months.

Commissioners explored alternatives including replacing only chassis and reusing ambulance boxes, leasing units and trading in current vehicles. Staff cautioned that some equipment (notably life packs used for cardiac care) will be unsupported and need replacing soon. A staff figure given for replacing life packs and ambulance boxes for multiple units ranged in discussion; for four life packs the staff quote in the meeting was about $157,048.

Given the uncertain cost of chassis/box reuse and trade‑in values, a commissioner moved to table the ambulance purchase while staff examines options. The motion to table was seconded. Separately, a motion was made to purchase four life packs at the quoted price; that motion was seconded and taken up for vote, but the provided transcript segment does not include the final recorded vote tally.

Why it matters: reliable ambulance service and supported medical equipment are core public‑safety functions. Life packs being unsupported poses an operational risk; commissioners signaled urgency to replace unsupported equipment while seeking better cost estimates for full vehicle replacement.

Next steps: Staff was asked to return with options on box reuse, lease vs. buy comparisons and final pricing so the board can determine procurement timing.