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LEETONIA -- Village council approved the purchase of an ambulance and equipment for the EMS department in its recent meeting.
Council unanimously approved the purchase of an ambulance and Lucas device from New Waterford at a price of $50,000 and $10,000, respectively, and authorized Village Solicitor Abbey Minamyer to draft any legislation necessary to enact the purchase.
The village of New Waterford decided to temporarily suspend its EMS services in April, and its village council subsequently voted to sell its ambulances, a 2013 and 2015 Ford, by sealed bid in June.
During Leetonia's village council meeting Wednesday, EMS Chief Robert Sanchez told the council that since the department is a government agency it could purchase one directly at a cost of $50,000 to replace its 2003 ambulance. He said that both of New Waterford's ambulances had about 60,000 miles on them and had gasoline engines, which would reduce the department's fuel costs compared to its current ambulance's diesel engine.
"If we go further with [the purchase] it would come as is with the cot and all equipment. The only thing that doesn't come with it is the oxygen tank, which we have already. The radio, lights, siren, everything would remain. We'd be replacing a 2003 diesel. At this point it's just nickel and diming us," Sanchez said. "There's a leakage going on where if we deal with it that squad will be out of service for while and it's going to cost us because we'd have to remove the whole engine and we've had electrical issues with it…The ambulance New Waterford is selling is pretty much identical ride wise. There are also some upgraded features with that one, a backup camera, more space, side doors that open up, so that's something I'd like to look at purchasing."
Sanchez also said that New Waterford is selling one of its Lucas devices, a type of automated CPR system, for $10,000 and requested permission to purchase it to outfit the department's second ambulance. That price also includes two batteries and a charger.
Sanchez said that the market value for a new Lucas system is currently about $30,000, and that it costs about $500 to purchase a charger separately.
"That's a very good deal, almost a steal, and that way both ambulances would have two Lucas devices for the community. The fire department is also trained on them, so even if the EMS doesn't have a full crew, the fire department can still go out and utilize that equipment. Studies have shown that early intervention with a Lucas device does promote better return of circulation times and a higher chance of survival," Sanchez said.
In other business, council also authorized the purchase of two power cots and automated loaders for the village's ambulances at a cost of $22,500 each, for a total of $44,000 plus shipping from Stryker.
Sanchez said that Stryker is currently offering a heavy discount, noting that when he last obtained a quote to have one ambulance outfitted with a power cot and loader, the price had been $87,000.
Sanchez also stressed the value of having a powered cot and loader, which he said improves safety for both the department's EMTs and their patients. He noted that having powered cots and loaders equipped raises the resale value of the ambulances if the village ever wanted or needed to sell them at a later date.
"With each generation we're getting heavier and obese, it's just the nature of the facts, so patients get heavier and [a powered cot] saves back injuries…if you look at most ambulances that have power cots and loaders. It reduces wear and tear on the body, reduces back injuries, knee injuries, and instead of having five firemen out there on scene you can probably have just two first responders, so we can save money in that aspect as well."
Council will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.