There is a new piece of equipment being utilized by the City of Bridgeport. It cost substantially more than it would have in the past, and those involved jumped at the chance to get it.

 

Although most will never use it, Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart confirmed recently that the city is in possession of, and has already put in service, a brand-new ambulance.

 

“This was desperately needed and it actually wasn’t the ambulance we initially ordered to do our replacement by escrow where we replace an ambulance every five years,” said Hart. “The one we were supposed to have by now was supposed to be here; it was ordered 19 months ago.”

 

The reason for the delay? Not surprisingly, a supply issue.

 

“The chassis has never been delivered to the manufacture,” said Hart. “Once they it from the production line, we’ll have it anywhere from 90 to 120 days later. We’re anticipating that one in the fall.”

 

So, how with supply issues, did Bridgeport end up with a new ambulance? Ironically enough, it was the chassis that is on holdup for the one ordered prior that led to this one.

 

“We were fortunate because another agency had ordered an ambulance and it fell through, but the chassis was ready for it. The manufacturer knew we were interested and talked with us to see if we wanted to step in,” said Hart.

 

Hart knew he wanted to, but he had to talk with city administration. He got the okay.

 

“They knew the dilemma we’re facing, and others are as well, so we were told forward to move ahead getting the other one,” said Hart. “We were still able to have it custom built to our specifications.”

 

The new ambulance comes with everything needed, including the Cot Loading System, which Hart said added to the overall cost of the new ambulance. Hart said the total cost is around $290,000.

 

“It loads the cots into the ambulance by electronically lifting the wheels off the ground in a more secure way to load passengers,” said Hart. “It is critical in reducing the chance of injury or issues during loading of a passenger significantly.”

 

As for the old ambulance, it is not able to be put into service, and it has nothing to do with the mileage. Hart said the eight-year-old vehicle has 120,000 service miles on it.

 

“The motor on it needs replaced, and that is an expensive fix and one not feasible for an ambulance that old and with that many miles,” Hart said.

 

Hart said the city always maintains two ambulances. He said when the motor was causing problems in the past, mutual aid stepped in. And he said if the older ambulance set to be replaced this fall goes bad, mutual aid will step in again.

 

“If the other would go out, we rely on a loaner ambulance from another agency. People may have seen an ambulance from Flemington, Anmoore, or Folsom, and if there is a problem they may see it again,” said Hart. “They loaned us an ambulance, we covered their calls, and that allowed us to consistently have two ambulances.”

 

Hart said the purchase order for the new one was a price increase over the one in production that was ordered a while ago of about 33 percent. He said things such as the Cot Loading System used to cost $25,000 and now is at $35,000.

 

“There are disadvantages to ordering now, but you have to order when you need the equipment. On top of that, there are no guarantees this is going to reverse,” said Hart. “The real issue is that when you order, the manufacturers are telling you not to expect delivery for between 18 to 30 months.

 

“That is a problem for the wait and a problem with the potential gap between the times you may receive it,” he continued. “This is an entirely new animal.”

 

Hart said, in the past, the turnaround could be as early as six months for an ambulance. The longest wait, he said, would be in the eight-month range.

 

“The thing is that you have to have the ambulance,” said Hart. “You just have to deal with the fact the price of doing business is increase like nothing I’ve seen since I’ve been in the business.”

 

Editor's Note: Staff is shown inside, and outside, of the new ambulance that recently went into service.