NORTHFIELD — The town is looking for a new ambulance to be purchased for 2017.
The purchase will be voted on by the residents at the town meeting on May 2. If the purchase is approved, the vehicle is expected to cost about $250,000.
Mark Fortier, EMS chief for Northfield, said that the new vehicle is much needed to replace a 1993 Ford F350 ambulance fraught with problems.
“We’ve had some huge problems mechanically, some electrical fires, just a lot of problems with (our current ambulance),” Fortier said. “It doesn’t have a lot of miles, but it has a lot of time on it. It’s rusted, it’s tired.”
According to Fortier, additional problems include needing jumpstarts at the hospital after bringing patients to it, as well as dashboard lights “burning out” and electrical wiring needing replacing.
“We are very fortunate that the Northfield Highway Department have some very talented individuals,” to help with repairs, Fortier said.
The 23-year-old vehicle was originally donated by the Rochester Fire Department in 2013.
Fortier said that although the department does not have a vendor in mind, the vehicle they are seeking will have four-wheel drive, which is something their current vehicle does not have.
“We are geographically challenged and we have parts of the town that are difficult to get to,” Fortier said. “We have to go off-road for some of our patients, and we need to be able to get around in all sorts of conditions.”
Town Administrator Brian Noble lauded Northfield EMS for what they have done with their vehicles, but agreed the new ambulance is needed.
“They have really made them work for a long time, but time is up,” Noble said.
Noble said that if the townspeople approve the purchase, the next step will be to have the contract go to a bidding process. Then, the town could expect the new ambulance by early 2017.