By EMS1 Staff
GERMANTOWN, Wis. — A local fire department saved taxpayers about $350,000 by recycling the shells of its old ambulances.
Instead of purchasing a brand-new ambulances, the Germantown Fire Department used the shells from out-of-service ambulances, reported My Northwest Now. The refurbishments cost around $127,000 for each ambulance — nearly half the cost of purchasing a new ambulance. Fire Chief Gary Weiss said many emergency vehicles can be restored with modifications.
“We’re reusing stuff we already had, so that’s a great thing and we’re saving lots of money,” Chief Weiss said.
Chief Weiss said the patient compartment of ambulances are normally in good shape, and that the vehicle’s motor, cab and drive train are what need to be replaced.
“The ride is excellent. It’s so much better than our last truck that rode very rough. It’s going to get better fuel mileage; it’s just a win-win for everybody, especially the village,” Chief Weiss said.
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