BROOKINGS White Ambulance Service is receiving $125,000 from the Brookings County Commission to put toward a new ambulance.
The 4-0 decision, with Commissioner Mike Bartley absent, came after a presentation was made by agency representative and driver Dirk Byers. Among other things, he highlighted the fact that $60,000 had already been put down toward the $184,900 cost of the vehicle, a 2023 Ford E450 Type 3 Arrow Ambulance.
The biggest issue with the ambulance we currently have is there is no heat or no air conditioning, Byers said. The air box is broke, its unserviceable, so our shop goes and switches it every year, so you either have all hot or all cold.
He said the search process started with looking for used ambulances, but it was quickly discovered that that particular market was relatively thin, with available units being worn out and/or having a lot of miles. Byers then started looking for new ambulances, but the price points werent conducive, generally starting at $250,000 to $300,000, while also three years out from delivery.
Weve been self-funded and never have really asked for anything, Byers said. Things have gotten so expensive anymore you cant save up $200,000.
He finally found the Arrow vehicle in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
Theyve got a good warranty, a good product and theyve done a lot of them in South Dakota for different cities, Byers noted, adding that Arrow will handle incidental expenses from things such as adding decals.
The volunteer ambulance service, which is insured by the city of White and has been active since 1976, handles around 30 service calls each year and is currently using a 1998 ambulance that it bought for $7,500 in 2016. With the approval of the additional county money for a new unit, Byers hopes the service will be able to sell its old unit and begin replenishing its savings fund.
If they can get back what they paid for it, thats about usually you get some farmers or some guys that will pay $7,000 to $10,000 for these old ambulances to use for utility truck-type deals (that) you see running around here and there, he said.
The request, which will be paid for through the countys Commission Projects fund, drew praise from several county commissioners, including Larry Jensen.
I think its a great program, he said. You cant put a price I mean if you respond to some critical calls and save a life, you cant put a price on that.
Jensen continued, I like the fact that youre going from a diesel motor to a gas motor for in the weather. I think youre going to use equipment thats already in the ambulance now and moving it over to the other one is crucial also. It saves some money, so Im in support of it.
Commissioner Kelly VanderWal agreed. I dont live there, but I drive through there and I appreciate the fact that we do have care that close in our county.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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