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Council pre‑authorizes up to $150,000 for ambulance after city receives EMS license
Summary
Following notification that the city secured an official EMS license, the council authorized staff to purchase a city ambulance (up to $150,000) pending a brief financial review; councilors were told the cost could be offset by the planned sale of an underused engine.
Woodland Hills council approved authorization to acquire a city ambulance for up to $150,000 after the fire chief reported the state had issued the city an EMS license.
Fire chief Ted Miggleson (S12) told the council, “Congratulations. We now have our official EMS license,” and explained the step’s immediate implications: volunteers who previously were not eligible for state insurance programs will now be able to access state‑provided volunteer insurance, and the city can begin preparing for possible local transport capability in the future. He said the city currently responds to EMS calls but does not transport patients because it lacks the staffing structure and transport authorization.
Miggleson described the city’s existing ambulance as 26 years old and near the end of its service life. Staff has located comparable used ambulances in the market (typical prices between $60,000 and $110,000) and prefers a brand that offers a lifetime warranty on the ambulance box. Councilors were told staff plans to list an underused engine for sale (estimated to bring six‑figure proceeds) to offset the ambulance purchase.
Council moved and seconded a motion to authorize the mayor and fire chief to approve an ambulance purchase up to $150,000 if a suitable vehicle becomes available; the motion passed by roll call (affirmative votes recorded for Lund, Roden, Hutchings, Johns and Malkovich). Staff emphasized this authorization is a preapproval (pending a brief finance review and sale of the engine) and that the city does not plan to begin transporting patients imminently.
Council and staff also discussed volunteer recruitment, stipend possibilities, insurance and interlocal coordination with neighboring Salem for transports and shared training.
