Starke County EMS Director Eric Wood asked both the Starke County Commissioners and Starke County Council during their meetings this week to purchase a new ambulance.
Wood obtained three quotes for a new ambulance that ranged from $211,000 to $288,000. Without a power cot, the price came down about $20,000. County Council President Dave Pearman explained that when the county typically purchases a new ambulance, they get the bare minimum and then transfer equipment from the old ambulance to the new ambulance. He asked for the quotes without the power cot because of that.
Even if the government leaders approved the purchase of a new ambulance, it would not be delivered until October or November in 2023.
When the Starke County Council members discussed the purchase, it was noted that the commissioners have not made a recommendation to purchase a new ambulance, and Wood was asked to look into a used ambulance to replace the 2009 rig that is experiencing the need for several repairs.
The commissioners and the council have not finalized plans for the American Rescue Plan Act money and some of that money could be used for a potential purchase of an ambulance, but it will be part of an ongoing discussion yet this year.
The council members voted to table the purchase and look into the matter in a future meeting.
Additionally, Wood mentioned to the commissioners that four part-time EMTs were recently hired. The department is only short one EMT.
