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Streator fire chief seeks council consensus to bid new ambulance, proposes raising transport fees
Summary
Fire/EMS staff requested council consensus to draft specifications and put a new ambulance out to bid (estimated $250,000–$350,000) and recommended raising ALS/BLS transport fees to align with neighboring communities; council asked staff to bring a formal ordinance or vote next meeting.
Streator’s fire and EMS leadership asked the council for a consensus to prepare specifications and seek bids for a replacement ambulance and sign a purchase contract when bids are awarded.
Fire department staff said acquiring a new ambulance takes two to three years from order to delivery and estimated the vehicle would cost in the range of $250,000 to $350,000. The department asked the council for permission to draft a solicitation and return with contract documents; payment, staff said, would be due upon delivery.
Separately, staff reviewed current transport fees and proposed adjusting them to match neighbors. The department reported an Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport fee of $1,500 and a Basic Life Support (BLS) fee of $1,200; staff noted nearby communities commonly charge $1,600 for ALS and $1,300 for BLS. The chief said he would return next week with a formal proposal or ordinance to raise the fees and noted the department can also update consumables charges under existing ordinance authority.
Council discussed timing (noting bonds coming off in 2027), and indicated a willingness to consider replacing capital equipment as part of longer‑term planning but did not vote tonight. Staff will return with formal contract documents, proposed fee ordinance language and budget implications.
