News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Township Fire Chief Dave Robbins checks the oil in one of the old ambulances at the Township North Fire Station. Robbins has asked the township’s Board of Trustees to purchase a pair of new ambulances before the end of the year.

ALPENA TOWNSHIP — The Alpena Township Fire Department is in need of at least a pair of new ambulances and intends to use funds from a recently passed property tax to pay for them.

And, the quicker the purchase is approved, the lower the cost will be for the new vehicles, fire officials say.

If they are able to purchase them before the first of the year, the township can save as much as $30,000 or more, as there is expected to be a significant increase in the cost of the new vehicles in 2019. Township Fire Chief Dave Robbins said that, as of now, the cost of two ambulances could be in the range of $350,000 to $400,000, but that will be significantly higher in two weeks.

During Monday’s township Board of Trustees meeting, Robbins asked the board for permission to purchase the new ambulances before the price goes up. He said all he needed was a letter of intent to purchase them to have the price locked in until more of the property tax money rolls in. The trustees decided to table the issue, however, and could address it during a special meeting before the new year rings in.

Voters in November approved a five-year, 0.65-mill property tax for the township fire department. The tax will cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $32.50 per year and will generate about $217,000 a year for the department.

Robbins said the department has four basic life-support ambulances divided between the township’s two fire stations, and all of them were purchased used. On average, the vehicles each have about 150,000 miles on them, with one unit having about 200,000 miles. The newest of the vehicles is a 2003 and the oldest a 1995.

Robbins said the department contacted about five ambulance vendors to begin getting quotes, and officials were told about the large price hike coming after Jan. 1. He said a proposal was made to trustees because the board needed to know about the developments and because he believes saving money is the proper thing to do for the voters who passed the millage and pay the higher taxes.

“I understand why the board tabled it, but I felt it was my duty to present them with the information,” Robbins said. “I know it was short notice, but this could have a big impact on other purchases we want to make.”

Robbins said waiting to buy the ambulances after the price increase will delay other purchases that need to be made in the coming months and years.

“I would only be able to buy one this spring and then another after taxes are collected in 2020,” he said. “Then, several years to purchase the new fire truck.”

Some of the issues with the current ambulances are quite serious. One of them has problems with the injection system that impacts how it starts and accelerates. Robbins said that vehicle needs to be started and run every few hours to be sure it will operate properly when there is an emergency call.

Another ambulance has serious electrical issues, which mechanics haven’t been able to solve.

One of the fire trucks also has a frame that is beginning to twist, causing buckles in the metal compartments on the truck. If that worsens, it will make it difficult for first-responders to access needed equipment on-scene.

Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said the board tabled the matter because there were some questions that needed to be addressed and to make sure that, if a purchase agreement is made, all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed. He said he intends to talk to Robbins and, if need be, a special meeting can be held before year’s end.

“The voters spoke loud and clear they support this fire department by passing this millage,” Skibbe said. “There are numerous variables to this, but, if we are able to be proactive to the point of giving a letter of intent to these companies and lock in those rates and show our citizens we are being proactive — and prudent with the funds — that is what I think we should do.”

Besides the ambulances, Robbins said new cots are also needed. He said the ones the department has now are old and not as efficient as the newer power cots. He said new ambulances aren’t outfitted to restrain old-style cots, so having more modern cots will help to improve safety for the patient and employees who often have to lift patients who are overweight. He said that, if the cots are ordered before the first of the year, the township can receive 30 percent off on them, as well.

“The industry as whole has determined that power cots are safer on the (emergency medical technicians) and paramedics, because you’re not doing so much heavy lifting,” Robbins said. “Today, if we don’t have a power cot, it behooves us to send three or four people on one run instead of two. Using them is a natural progression and have saved a lot of back injuries and workers compensation claims.”

In 2004, when the township began providing ambulance response services, and in the years shortly after, the township fire department responded to between 90 and 120 calls a year. As the population in the area got older, that number has exploded, Robbins said.

“We have already done 2,300 run this year, and we aren’t done with the year yet,” he said. “I think that number could continue to go higher as the age of the population continnues to get older, too.”

Robbins said the new ambulances would also reduce the amount of money the department has to use from its maintenence line-item for repairs on the old automobiles.

“I think we would save 50 to 75 percent in that one line alone.” he said.

Skibbe said there is no date set for a special meeting on the issue, but he suspects one will be called before year’s end. He said a meeting between himself and Robbins could happen today to hammer out some of the details of the proposed purchase.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpeanews.com.