BUCYRUS—The first new ambulance for the Bucyrus Fire Department in a decade was delivered last Tuesday.
According to Acting Bucyrus Fire Chief Chad Schwemley, the department’s older ambulance was five years old when it was purchased 10 years ago.
“The number of EMS runs we are going on has increased in the past year and if the city takes over the ambulance service, we will need to have things in place,” said Schwemley.
Schwemley said two months ago the department’s ambulance was out of service.
“We had to use one from Galion as a backup,” said Schwemley.
He said the new ambulance was purchased through Pfund Superior Sales in Pennsylvania through an auto dealer in Akron at a price tag of $292,000.
Mayor Jeff Reser said that 2020 CARES Act funds were used to purchase the new ambulance.
“This ambulance will enhance our ability to back up our current ambulance provider with an up-to-date ambulance. This purchase allows us to be ready to take on more ambulance runs if needed in a safe, efficient, and effective manner,” said Reser.
Schwemley said the new ambulance offers several features the older one does not contain, including a power lift.
“Equipment is still being added to the new ambulance, the training of firefighters to utilize it is underway and it will be in use very soon,” said Schwemley.