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Fire chief: ambulance chassis needed; box remains usable
Summary
Fire Chief Beatsch told council SWEMS needs a new ambulance chassis though "The box part of the ambulance is in good condition," and said staffing and pay issues for emergency services mirror police recruitment challenges; SWEMS purchased a used ambulance from Newport.
At the May 20 meeting Fire Chief Beatsch updated council on SWEMS equipment and staffing needs and asked for consideration of replacement of an ambulance chassis.
Beatsch told the council that "The box part of the ambulance is in good condition," but that the chassis itself needs replacement. He noted SWEMS had acquired a used ambulance from Newport that is now in service. He also said hiring challenges and pay-scale pressures for SWEMS were similar to those facing the police department, and he flagged personnel pressures as part of broader public-safety workforce shortages.
Beatsch additionally mentioned the community block party scheduled for July 18. There was no council vote recorded on procurement or funding during the meeting; further budget discussion will occur alongside other departmental budget reviews.
