Diesel-fueled model to have better mileage
CARIBOU, Maine — Scott Susi, chief of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department, requested a replacement for ambulance 22 at the fire department during the April 11, 2016, City Council meeting.
“The ambulance has served the community well and has been remounted three times, well beyond its life expectancy,” said Susi. “With the ongoing maintenance, we’ve been able to extend its life.”
Susi told councilors that the replacement ambulance he’s requesting has an eight-month delivery time, and wants to keep council on track for a 2017 purchase.
According to the chief, both Chevrolet and Ford have discontinued developing ambulances with diesel engines. But, he continued, the fire department has a high volume of long-distance transfers.
“I’ve spoken to companies who use gas now,” said Susi, “and they try to keep them to their local coverage area, and use diesels for transfers.”
Included in Susi’s request was a $15,650 stretcher replacement which, with the new Freightliner Ambulance, brings the total of Susi’s request to $254,708.
“Is there no competition in the stretcher market?” asked Councilor David Martin. “Why don’t you go to Haines Manufacturing in Presque Isle?”
“Stretchers are very expensive,” Susi said. “They’re made for durability. The other ones we have are 10 years old now and we already have a pretty strong maintenance program on those. Plus, we don’t have the weight rating. The one we’re looking at is rated for 900 pounds and has an extra foot of space on the top side. Just for employee health alone, battery operated stretchers are a must-have today.”
Councilor Jody Smith asked if there were any less expensive ambulances available.
“This is lowest price I found,” said Susi. “I looked at a Kenworth heavy truck chassis and it’s about $4,000 more than this one.”
The primary function for the new ambulance would be transferring patients, as it is rated for high mileage and low maintenance.
Mayor Gary Aiken asked the chief if the department kept maintenance records, which Susi confirmed.
“Every time the ambulance is worked on, it goes into the ambulance file,” said Susi. “The biggest files were the last two Fords we bought, and we got three chassis at one time. They’re costing us big money right now. Last year it cost us about $9,000 and the year before it was $8,200. We’d be lucky to get through a regular vehicle inspection with this one now, the whole box is pretty well rusted out and has been remounted three times.”
Councilor Tim Guerrette, who previously worked with the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department, added that they need to use cedar shakes wedged in the box to keep it from shaking itself on the road.
Mayor Aiken also asked about the advantages of diesel over gas.
“They get about 7 miles per gallon,” said Susi, “they’re not feasible for long-distance transports. You have to stop and fill it up constantly, and that doesn’t even include issues with the chassis.”
