CHICOPEE – The City Council Tuesday approved an order from Mayor Kos for $250,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance for the Chicopee Fire Department.
In an effort to maintain safety and reliability, ambulances are placed on back-up or reserve status after reaching 80,000 miles to ensure there is always a reliable ambulance available.

Currently, the City’s fleet of ambulances is comprised of a 2014 model with 59,067 miles, a 2013 model with 87,233 miles, a 2009 model with 155,375 miles, and another 2009 model with 160,033 miles. The mileage on the ambulances adds up quickly as they operate 24/7. The new ambulance will replace the 2009 model with the highest millage.

“With high mileage on our ambulances reliability drops off considerably and creates potential risk to our patients,” said acting Fire Chief Dean Desmarais. “I thank the Mayor and City Council for addressing this matter so we can continue to offer the best possible service to our residents.”

“In Chicopee we are able to offer excellent emergency response, whether it be police, fire, or ambulance,” said Mayor Kos. “The purchase of this ambulance will allow us to continue to maintain that quality of service.”

The ambulance will be ordered as soon as specifications are finalized, which is expected within a month, and it can take from eight to twelve months for production, depending on market demands.