New ambulance will replace 2002 model with 179,000 miles
Polk County commissioners approved on Monday, May 2 purchasing a new ambulance chassis at a price of $79,820.
The purchase was approved unanimously. The county plans to take the box off an existing ambulance to place on the new chassis. The county plans to order a four-wheel-drive 2011 Ford E-450 Cutaway, with a V10 gasoline engine. The chassis will carry a two-year warranty.
The new ambulance will replace a 2002 model, referred to as EMS II, that currently has almost 179,000 miles. The county will convert the 2002 model’s box and equipment onto the new chassis. The county runs its emergency department with four ambulances.
Polk received bids for a new chassis, with the low bid of $79,820 coming from Northwest Emergency Vehicles of West Jefferson, N.C. The delivery time for the new chassis is 60 to 90 days.
Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson presented his fiscal year 2011-2012 budget recommendation on May 2. He said the county budgeted $90,000 for the emergency services ambulance. The county’s new budget year begins July 1.