Farmington approves $417,444 purchase of new ambulance, will keep old unit for sale

Chairman Charlie King and the Farmington Board of Selectmen voted unanimously April 6 to purchase a new ambulance expected to arrive in June or July and to retain the town’s current 2011 unit for later sale.

Assistant Fire Chief Rolly Edgerly told the board the bid is for a 2024 chassis that has never been used, with the manufacturer warranty intact, and that his price quote was the lowest after three bids because the chassis was a holdover. "It's a Ford F-550," Edgerly said, adding the apparatus has four-wheel drive and liquid springs.

The board discussed warranty timing, trade-in value and equipment upgrades. Edgerly said warranty coverage will begin when the town takes delivery and that he had secured communications and radio installation separately to reduce the final outfitting cost. He also said only a few small purchases would be required to upgrade the unit for paramedic-level service.

Selectman John Scruton moved to approve the purchase and retain the old ambulance for later sale; Chairman King seconded. Scruton later amended the motion to specify a total purchase and outfitting cost of $417,443.69. The motion passed 5-0.

Board members questioned the dealer’s $7,500 trade-in estimate for the 2011 vehicle and discussed marketing the ambulance for auction or a separate sale to capture greater value. "I didn't see a reason to give it to them for $7,500," King said.

The new unit’s modular box design should allow future remounting on a replacement chassis, Edgerly said, which could extend the operational life of the ambulance body. Delivery is anticipated in the June–July timeframe. The board’s approval draws on previously voter-approved capital reserve funds for emergency vehicles.

Next steps: staff will finalize purchase paperwork and coordinate delivery and outfitting; the town will arrange disposition of the current ambulance for sale.