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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 58 <br />and 911 /Communications Center Operations Study <br />EMS Vehicles <br />EMS currently maintains an inventory of 11 transport vehicles; eight (8) of which are in service 12 -24 <br />hours per day. The remaining three (3) transport vehicles, not currently assigned, are reserve back -up <br />units for use when a vehicle is down for repairs or service or otherwise unavailable for use. EMS Division <br />management personnel and the designated in -field Shift Supervisors drive either sedan or SUV type <br />vehicles up- fitted to accommodate their respective assigned responsibilities. <br />As noted in Figure 5 recent year ambulance purchases signify a significant shift to the Freightliner M2, <br />medium duty type ambulance from Ford F -450, light duty ambulance that was prominent in the past <br />and of which several are still in service. While the cost of the newer ambulances were considerably <br />more than the previous models; $94,575 in 2005 & 2007 for the Ford vs. $186,900 in 2012 for the <br />Freightliner; the decision was not made in haste. <br />Available documentation indicates that the issue was researched and studied jointly by personnel <br />representing Emergency Services, Asset Management Services, and Fleet Management and determined <br />that the new units provided a number of advantages over the current fleet vehicles: <br />■ Cheaper to operate; first -year mileage of medium duty @ 9 miles /gallon vs. light duty @ 8.6 <br />miles /gallon; first year service cost of light duty @ 8.92 cents /mile vs. medium duty @ 5.98 <br />cents /mile; <br />■ Better survivability in an accident; illustrated during /after actual rollover experienced in 2010; <br />■ Better field of vision- safer scene approach and driver visibility during both emergency response <br />and normal driving conditions; <br />■ Better internal vehicle systems; braking, cooling, transmissions, chassis, electrical; <br />■ Overall dimensions offer better internal maneuverability and patient access <br />■ On -going maintenance advantages cited included serviceability, reliability, and quality of design <br />and construction. <br />Figure 5 <br />EMS Fleet Vehicles* <br />Vehicle Number <br />Model Year <br />Model <br />Maufacturer <br />633 <br />2005 <br />Ford F -450 XLT Super Duty Ambulance <br />Wheeled Coach <br />634 <br />2005 <br />Ford F -450 XLT Super Duty Ambulance <br />Wheeled Coach <br />714 <br />2007 <br />Ford F -450 XLT Super Duty Ambulance <br />Wheeled Coach <br />715 <br />2007 <br />Ford F -450 XLT Super Duty Ambulance <br />Wheeled Coach <br />793 <br />2011 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />794 <br />2011 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />813 <br />2011 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />840 <br />2012 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />842 <br />2012 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />843 <br />2012 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />845 <br />2012 <br />Freightliner M2 Ambulance <br />Excellance <br />*The Emergency Services Department is anticipating the replacement of Vehicles 633 and 714 during FY 2012 -2013 and 2013- <br />2014. Engines were replaced in Units 634 and 715 in 2011; each are expected to remain in the fleet for several more years. <br />Solutions for Local Government, Inc. 14 <br />