By Mark Schlueb
The Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando will spend $1.3 million to buy 10 new ambulances, the first big purchase necessary for the city’s fire department to take over transport of the sick and injured to the hospital.
Nearly all ambulance transport is now done by a Rural/Metro Ambulance under contract. But the city wants to take over much of the work. Under the city’s plan, firefighters would take the most serious cases and all car crash victims, but leave less serious cases to Rural/Metro.
The City Council approved the ambulance purchase Monday. Last week, the city extended its contract with Rural/Metro for two years while the new plan is evaluated.
Full Story: Orlando spends $1.3 million on ambulances; city also finalizes next year’s budget