Ramona Fire Department Lends Ambulance to Barona Fire District

After the Barona Fire Department's ambulance was placed out of service due to mechanical issues, the department's assistant chief called upon Ramona Fire Department/Cal Fire for some help.

Due to the "positive relationship" between the two departments, as well as the recent addition of a new ambulance for Ramona Fire funded by a grant from Barona, Ramona Fire Department lended the Barona their backup ambulance.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Burke Kremensky said the lending of the ambulance was an easy decision, as Barona has shown the "spirit of cooperation in the past, where Ramona has asked for assistance from Barona."

According to Jack Wethey, EMS Coordinator for Ramona fire Department/Cal Fire, the ambulance being lent to Barona Fire was going to be sold at an auction or to am ambulance vendor to be used as extra equipment.

Once the ambulance is returned from Barona, the backup ambulance will then be sold, according to Wethey.

The EMS coordinator said Barona is in the process of purchasing a new ambulance and should recieve it in three months.

Ramona Fire Department's new ambulance purchased by a $210,000 grant from Barona is a Ford F-450 Lifeline Emergency Vehicle Type I 167-foot Superliner Module Ambulance. The grant was given by Barona Band of Mission Indians and Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation back in July of 2012 and was delivered to the fire department in June.