An inspection of the Pulaski County EMS truck damaged in a Feb. 7 fire near Star City found numerous electrical problems with the rig. The county’s insurance claim for damage to the vehicle isn’t finalized yet. EMS Director Nikki Lowry says the $4,000 reimbursement for the contents is nowhere near adequate to cover the losses, as the 800 MHz radio alone will cost $4,300 to replace. Lowry has since done a complete inventory of supplies that were on the truck that are no longer usable and told the county commissioners she is tallying that now. The ambulance was parked at Wagner Performance Diesel Repair near Star City on Feb. 7 when another vehicle in the shop caught fire. Lowry said the county’s agent with Francesville-based Novotony Insurance told her to proceed with getting the truck fixed and they would deal with the building owner’s insurance company after the repairs were made. County attorney Kevin Tankersley says she needs to continue forwarding information to the agent as it becomes available and hold him accountable for resolving the matter. Lowry says the county can’t afford to cut corners when it comes to getting the ambulance fixed. “We’ve got to make sure it’s up to par, because if it doesn’t meet state standards we’ve just spent all this money, and it’s not going to be usable.”
Tankersley says he will be happy to make telephone calls to the insurance adjuster in an effort to speed the settlement process. The insurance company has offered the county $82,000 for the truck. The cost of a replacement rig is estimated at between $150 and $160,000.
