Fire Department Picks New Grant-Funded Ambulance; Water Board Approves of Purchase

After accepting a in July, the water board approved of the purchase of an amublance by the fire department at Tuesday's water district meeting.

The new vehicle is a Ford F-450 Lifeline Emergency Vehicle Type 1 167-foot Superliner Module Ambulance. The water district asked the Board of Directors to approve the purchase of the vehicle, which cost just under $210,000–the no-matching grant given to the district from the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation.

Jack Wethey, EMS coordinator, told the board that the vehicle was carefully chosen over the past two months.

"Two firefighters and myself looked at all the options we thought would best serve our community," Wethey told the board. "We put a lot of time and effort... looking at all the details."

Wethey said the medics rode in various models to see what they liked and even asked for input from neighboring fire departments.

"We talked to Vista Fire and Carlsbad Fire and Las Vegas Fire to see what they liked best and worked for them," Wethey said. "I think we came up with the best choice we could."

The fire department says the ride quality in the patient care area was notably better in the Ford F-450 Type 1 Superliner ambulance than the others they tested. A smoother, quieter ride will make a difference in patient comfort and make caring for the patient easier.

A Ford Extended Warranty purchase was also recommended to the board and is included in the grant funds.

The fire department expressed "sincere appreciation" to the San Diego Indian Gaming Local Commmunity Benefit Committee, as well as the chairmen for the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation.

Director Kit Kesinger moved to approve the purchase of the ambulance and Vice President Darrell Beck seconded the motion. The item unanimously passed.