New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Earlier today, Mayor Jon Mitchell joined with several city departments heads, including the Fire Chief, the Director of Emergency Medical Services, the Director of the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management as well as the Commissioner of Public Infrastructure to unveil new vehicles that will become part of the city’s fleet.
The Mayor announced that more than one dozen new vehicles are being brought into service this year including six snow plow trucks to replace those lost during the February blizzard, two Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulances, two New Bedford Fire Department SUVs, an off-road fire apparatus and a rapid response rescue boat.
EMS has acquired two new, state-of the-art ambulances that will enhance the department’s ability to respond to the public’s emergency needs. The new ambulances are 2013 Chevrolet G4500 custom built Custom’s Works “Excalibur Series” Type III, Class I emergency medical vehicles. The City financed the two new ambulances under a lease-purchase agreement at a total of $332,614.00
The Fire Department’s new off-road fire apparatus, Engine 25, is a four-wheel drive 1991 engine acquired from United State Air Force. The 1,000 gallon per minute pumper has all-terrain capability and is equipped with a 10-ton capacity winch. In addition, the Department has acquired two new four-wheel drive SUVs at a total cost of $86,880. The Department’s District Chiefs, on duty in areas of the north and south end of the City, will use the new vehicles to respond to emergencies.
The Fire Department’s Marine Unit has also gained a rapid response rescue boat, Marine 11, a fifteen-foot semi-rigid inflatable boat and trailer that will be deployed for water rescues and emergencies. The new rapid response rescue boat was purchased by the City for $14,821.
The long overdue replacement of broken or aging equipment has been a priority for the Mitchell Administration. The hiring of a Chief Financial Officer, in particular, has allowed the City to develop cost-effective financing solutions enabling the vehicle acquisitions.
“For several years, it’s been obvious that we need to do something about our fleet. Repair costs have been rising as vehicles have grown old. It just doesn’t make sense financially to continue business as usual. For example, the City purchased its last engine five years ago and the average age of the fleet now stands at 13 years. The principal challenge for my Administration has always been finding a way to fund the purchase of new vehicles while living within the City’s means,” said the Mayor.
He added, “The City’s new Chief Financial Officer brought a wealth of experience to this problem, allowing the City to research and explore a number of financing mechanisms. It has made all the difference.”
Earlier this month, the Mayor presented a plan to purchase two new pumpers for fire department that will enable the NBFB to remove from frontline service two antiquated pumpers that first came into service more than twenty years ago. Last week, the City Council approved the Mayor’s plan to purchase the new pumpers for $1.2 million under a lease-purchase agreement with favorable interest rates.
