Georgetown Fire Completes Ambulance Upgrade Project at No Cost to Taxpayers

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Georgetown Fire Completes Ambulance Upgrade Project at No Cost to Taxpayers

GEORGETOWN — Fire Chief Albert Beardsley is pleased to announce that the Georgetown Fire Department recently completed the final phase of an ambulance upgrade project

The Department replaced its two aging diesel ambulances by purchasing two new, gasoline-powered trucks and upgrading and reusing the existing patient compartments, or boxes. These actions resulted in two better, more efficient, and less noisy ambulances that will save the town money on fuel and on future repairs.

“Our trucks are now so quiet that EMTs are able to take accurate blood pressure readings and clearly hear a patient’s pulse and lung sounds as the ambulance is heading to the hospital,” Chief Beardsley said.

To further save money as the ambulances are used and as they age, the trucks are in a rotation for duty, serving as the primary response unit for a month at a time before swapping with its twin.

The department began its ambulance service in January 2012 with two vehicles that were previously used in Florida. Given their mileage and wear and tear from the harsh New England winters, both trucks needed to be replaced. Fortunately, the ambulance’s boxes were in pristine condition and only needed a few updated parts to extend the vehicle’s life.

The ambulance expenses are paid for through the department’s enterprise fund. Payments received from insurance companies for transports go into the fund, which in turn, pays for ambulance expenses and EMT salaries.

“This was a huge cost-saving endeavor, as we were able to repair both vehicles at no cost to the town,” Chief Beardsley said.

Both ambulances are stocked with the same equipment. The primary ambulance also carries a continuous cardiac compression unit. The Chief hopes to allocate $16,000 in the future to purchase a second unit for the other ambulance now that the vehicle upgrade project is complete.

Those interested in learning more about the Town’s ambulance service and the Georgetown Fire Department can stop by the station at 47 Central St. anytime.

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