Ambulance proposal is common sense savings
Taxpayers do not have bottomless pockets.
People who routinely deal with buying and selling emergency equipment like ambulances and fire engines frequently forget this fact. This is especially true when it comes to the medical side of emergency services, where the astronomical costs of modern medical care bleeds into perceptions of what is affordable, fiscally responsible or even economically feasible.
It was refreshing at the September 11 meeting of the Taylor County law enforcement and emergency services committee to hear a voice of reason rather than a sales pitch for the latest whistles and bells.
Aspirus operates the Taylor County Ambulance Service under contract with the county. These ambulances and equipment in them are owned and paid for by county taxpayers.
Like any other vehicle, ambulances have an expected usable lifespan and a replacement cycle. This replacement schedule is impacted by usage and conditions and the maintenance needs of the vehicles. An ambulance with a history of mechanical issues may be cycled out of the fleet faster than one that continues to operate without issue.
This means that every few years the county looks to retire an older ambulance and purchase a new one to replace it. The next ambulance scheduled to be replaced is the unit currently stationed in the village of Rib Lake. Given the critical role ambulances play, it is essential to stay up on maintenance and replacement. If your personal car doesn’t start, you might end up being late for work. If an ambulance has a mechanical breakdown, it can have life-threatening consequences.
Price quotes for a new ambulance range from $339,908 for a truck-mounted ambulance to $305,817 for a van-mounted ambulance with a 2.5-year time delay between placing an order and having it delivered.
Rather than advocating for the most expensive option, Aspirus EMS regional director Bob Kirkley was honest in calling a truck-mounted ambulance a waste. He was also correct in pointing out that keeping with a traditional van-mounted ambulance would fit better in the existing ambulance garage.
Beyond this, Kirkley also suggested that the county could save significantly by going with a remount, where the existing ambulance body is mounted on a new chassis. This would knock at least $100,000 off the cost of a new unit and cut the lead time from 2.5 years to six months, while not reducing quality or appearance.
In a time of spiraling expenses, it is refreshing to see people propose common-sense cost saving solutions that will directly benefit taxpayers.
While taxpayers are willing to make an investment in public safety and emergency services, it is refreshing to see consideration of practical, less expensive options rather than chasing whistles and bells.
