New ambulance for WMFD?

New ambulance for WMFD?

Fire Commission weighing options

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Fire Department Commission began considering options for another ambulance during its first meeting of the year. An ambulance was budgeted for last year but put off to acquire the new million dollar ladder truck.

The 2017 budget also allowed for the expenditure and city councilors have begun to weigh the options. Chief Chris Brogdon reported 2016 ambulance collections of $369,000 and then presented ambulance options to the committee for consideration. Ultimately the committee will make a recommendation to city council.

The first option, buying a new one appeared cost prohibitive. Refurbishing an existing unit and remounting it onto a new chassis looked easier on the budget. The EMT chief explained the remounting procedure.

”You take the same box that is on an ambulance an put it on a new chassis instead of buying everything brand new,” said Brogdon.

“They gut the box and redo everything. A new totally one is around $179,000 and remounted is around $140,000. So, you save about $40,000 with the remount, the one we have.”

A significant ordering back log faces the department with either option.

Chairman Tracy Catt indicated the wait time for a new ambulance is up to a year.

“A remount can’t be started until November,” said Brogdon. “Then it takes three or four months to do.”

By John Rech