Ambulance Replacement Plans?

[firemedic37]

One of the services that I work for was in the process of purchasing new ambulances until the recent recession. Our ambulances have over 170,000 miles and we are told that we will have them for at least 2 more years. Until this month, now they are looking into replacing them now since we spent $6,000 last month in repairs and probably another $2,000 this month.

Our current ambulances are two (2) 2007 Chevy 3500 Type II (Van Style) with 170,000+ on each and one (1) 2001 Ford E-450 Type III Ambulance with 110,000+ and is ran as third out or Critical Care Rig.

Our proposed purchase was two (2) 2010 Chevy 4500 Type III Medtec Ambulances with a 146" box. The price is roughly $190,000 for both after additional equipment is purchased and our other ambulances are traded in. These by no means are your basic ambulances, they have rear view camera, five point restraints, dual control panels in the rear and several other options.

We are currently exploring other options to convince our administration to purchase these since the 2011 models spec'd the same way will be another $7,500 each rig due to inflation, new emission standards and depreciation of our current rigs.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Firemedic37

[croaker260]

Honestly, this and similar topics have been discussed ad nausem on the NEMSMA Google list serve. Skip Kirkwood and many other current leaders of both fire and non fire agencies are on there and are a truly great bunch of helpful professionals.

You will likely not only get an answer, but an answer based on facts your own administration will understand.

[Chief1C]

Just don't buy a Marque.

[NYCEMS9115]

Just de-commissioned one of my Ambulances. Getting the New Benz Ambulance....

[usalsfyre]

Why buy two $200,000 ambulances when brand new, serviceable trucks are available for half that?

Medium duty trucks are overkill in all but a very cases.

[hatelilpeepees]

It all depends. You stated how much you spent the last two months, but what about the last 12 ? If you are spending more than 3k per month on any one ambulance consistently, it makes sense to replace it, but if you are only having a few bad months, it makes sense to drive the old ones until the wheels fall off. In this economy, I would advise to go for basic plain trucks, instead of adding thousands in frivolous bells and whistles, as you might be able to get 3 trucks instead of 2. Consider type 2's (vans) because they are cheaper and have better fuel economy. If you still have to sell the bosses on making the purchase you just need to do a cost benefit analysis and show that the monthly payments on your new ambulances will be less than what you are spending on maintenance now, if you can show that ?

[firemedic37]

Why buy two $200,000 ambulances when brand new, serviceable trucks are available for half that?

Medium duty trucks are overkill in all but a very cases.

Clarify they are not medium duty rigs, they are the Chevy Express 4500 and they are $190,000 for two rigs.

Last month was an expensive month for repairs we average around $1,000 a month.

These rigs are your "basic" rigs when it comes to safety standards, there is really nothing that we can cut out that would decrease the cost yet keep the safety aspect there. These rigs were designed for safety and functionality for our tasks, they may not make the ideal 911 rig but will definitely be safer than 99% of the rigs on the road. The biggest thing we did was remove the famous "CPR" seat due to numerous studies showing that it was the most dangerous seat in the back and add five-point harnesses in place of the standard bench seat and captains chair for the airway seat. This did add several thousand but I believe that it is well worth it.

Financing the new rigs will not be a problem, we have the money in a account that is not generating any interest so we are losing a lot more than just the inflation. These rigs will be paid in full before delivery.

[Chief1C]

Actually, $95K for an ambulance isn't expensive at all. About eight years ago, we got a brand new, custom built Marque for $93.000.00.

You get. What you pay for...

Just sayin'

Ambulances, are like fancy homes, have you ever seen the film Money Pit with Tom Hanks? Marque Ambulances, are like that house. It's really big, commando-ish, and fancy looking on the outside. Then, shit starts falling off.

[Richard B the EMT]

Just don't buy a Marque.

I didn't know they were even still around.