Sturtevant Stunned by New South Shore Ambulance Plan

The plan

Stedman is proposing remounting two of the 2005 rigs up front, predominantly because these are the units that suffer the most mechanical issues.

The remounts are expected to cost about $109,000 each, for a total of $218,000, about $38,000 more than the $180,000 price tag on a new unit.

"I looked at the whole picture and the truth is that we need to replace six ambulances in a short amount of time," Stedman said. "We're two to three years behind in our equipment plan, and we need to get caught up."

To help mitigate the cost overrun, Stedman suggested ordering one right away for delivery by the end of the year and ordering the second one after Jan. 1 so the cost of that unit can be figured into the 2014 budget.

Once the remounts have been squared away - essentially providing two new units within a year - then SSFD command staff would send out requests for proposals for a rig with a box that can be remounted multiple times. The new squad would also be figured into the 2014 budget and would replace the 1998. 

After the 1998 has been replaced, Stedman proposed following in the City of Madison's footsteps and contracting with a single-source vendor on a five-year contract that would remount the remaining 2005 and replace the two 2001 units by the end of 2016.

"This gives us a tentative plan to replace the ambulance fleet in four years," Stedman stated. "Buying six new units would run over $1 million, but I estimate a savings of $225,000 over the next four years with this plan."

Sturtevant Trustee Jayme Hoffman has years of experience with ambulances, and he is most concerned about how a remount warranty works.

"It's the chassis that breaks down, not the box," he acknowledged. "But I want to know what's new and what's old and how the warranty will work."

Chad Brown, vice-president of sales and marketing for Braun Ambulance, said his company only manufactures units that can be remounted multiples times for lifespans that are double any other models on the road.

"All ambulances are made for remounting, but only Braun units can be remounted every three to five years if needed," he said. 

Brad England of Cyprus Creek EMS in Houston, TX, has a 1996 Braun ambulance that has been remounted twice.

"Remounting can be a regular part of an ambulance replacement plan, but departments have to plan for it and order the appropriate units," he said. 

'At least there's a plan'

A new ambulance has been budgeted for the last three years by both village boards. Trustee Chris Wright pointed out that when the boards of Sturtevant and Mount Pleasant met two weeks ago, he felt like Sturtevant was assured a new ambulance would get ordered.

"I do not support the remount because we were practically promised by the Mount Pleasant president that we would be ordering a new ambulance," he said. "I have serious problems with this."

But, Trustee Gary Johnson said it's time to move on from the history and that Stedman's plan has merit.

"We need the chief's plan to set up the budgeting process," he said. "This takes care of two now and then we can build out for the long-term. This could finally turn to go in the right direction."

William Miller, SSFD union president, agreed.

"We're okay with this because this is a worthwhile plan and we've lacked that for years," he said. "The chief is doing his homework, and it shows."

Mount Pleasant Trustee David DeGroot has publicly commented that he would vote for a new ambulance, but after the chief presented his idea, DeGroot said he would support Stedman's plan.

"The bottom line is that I want to be a good steward of the public's money and their safety," he told Patch. "I think Chief Stedman has a solid plan to replace our aging fleet in a cost-effective and timely manner that puts residents' safety first."

Fire/EMS Oversight Chair Rick McCluskey was presented with Stedman's plan last week, and he believes it can work.

"The department with the chief's leadership has looked over the options to rectify the situation, and this plan has merit," he said. "I'd love to just order two new squads, but who can fork out $360,000? This gives us the two 'new' squads on the line, ready to go within a year and then puts us on a plan."