SNOW HILL, N.C. — A volunteer EMS station has a new ambulance for the first time in more than 30 years.
WITN.com reported that Snow Hill EMS Chief Steve Gilbert said the department’s previous two ambulances were old and unreliable. The station now has a new $140,000 ambulance made possible by a $25,000 Department of Insurance grant and donations.
“We’ve been out of service a lot. You get a patient on board and it might break down,” Chief Gilbert said.
The department previously relied on other county ambulance services. The rig, which has been in service for a week, is needed now more than ever since the department’s call volume has increased due to nearby stations discontinuing ambulance services.
Chief Gilbert said the ambulance should be at the department for six to seven years.
“To have something out there where you have a comfortability with and your squad knows is going to get you there, it just puts a better ease to the patients knowing they’re in something new; they’re in something that should last,” he said.