Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council previews order for sixth Lifeline ambulance; chief stresses long lead times
Summary
The fire chief told council the city is ordering a sixth Lifeline ambulance with roughly 24-month lead time, that payment occurs only at delivery, and that the purchase is planned to be paid through future bonding.
At the May 11 work session the Burlington Fire Chief described plans to order the city’s sixth Lifeline ambulance as part of an ongoing remount-and-replace program executed through the HGAC/state purchasing program.
The chief said modern ambulances have long factory lead times—currently about 24 months—so the city is ordering now to secure position in the production line. He emphasized that "there is no actual purchase or check being dispersed until the date of delivery," explaining the council is approving an order/purchase intent rather than dispersing current funds.
Finance staff said the purchase would be financed by bonding in FY2026–27 or FY2027–28. The chief and council discussed lead-time variability and the possibility of accelerated delivery if cancellations occur in the production queue. Council expressed support for moving the order forward so the city can maintain its replacement schedule.
