Wis. city EMS buys new ambulance after a crash put them down a rig

The total cost will be $20,000, with $15,000 going toward the ambulance and $5,000 toward the cot in the back.

May 03, 2019 11:49 AM

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New Ambulance purchased for Sauk Prairie Ambulance

Jake Ekdahl
WiscNews

The Sauk Prairie Ambulance Commission moved forward with purchasing a new ambulance at their April 25 meeting after an April 11 ambulance crash left the organization down one vehicle.

“On April 11, we had an accident and rolled (ambulance) 508 on its side,” said Sauk Prairie Ambulance Director Kevin Weber. “Fortunately only minor injuries to those that were injured.”

Two EMS personnel were back on the job the next day, the other has been cleared to return to work.

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Strong winds and slick ice contributed to the crash, said Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister.

Weber informed the Ambulance Commission insurance would cover up to $108,000 for repairs and $110,000 for renting a new ambulance. Sauk Prairie Ambulance has begun the process of getting the damaged ambulance repaired locally.

Weber said so far the damage appears to be superficial, but final inspections have not been completed.

In looking for a replacement, Weber contacted Lodi Area EMS.

“They wanted $25,000 for it,” Weber said. “It’s a 2009 ambulance which is the same age as our middle ambulance.”

The ambulance has about 69,500 miles on it. By comparison, one of the Sauk Prairie Ambulances currently in use has about 101,000 miles.

“Everyone I’ve talked to said we’d be stupid to walk away from it,” Weber said.

At Commission Member David White’s suggestion, the Commission agreed to begin by renting the ambulance for one month and make the purchase after that period.

The total cost will be $20,000, with $15,000 going toward the ambulance and $5,000 toward the cot in the back.

Funds for the purchase will come partially from insurance and partially from the Personnel Budget.

“It’s crazy not to,” White said of approving the deal.

Commission Member Cheryl Sherman said she was glad nobody was seriously injured in the April 11 crash.

“That could have been a heck of a lot worse,” Sherman said.

Weber said the new ambulance could be available as soon as April 29.

The Ambulance Commission will meet again May 16.

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