The Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD) has a new ambulance, the first of 12, housed at Station 44, reports thevillagedailysun.com.
Village officials in January approved the purchase of a dozen ambulances for around $2.48 million, in addition to $906,000 for the necessary equipment, the report says.
Amassing an ambulance fleet is pivotal for the department, which plans to start ambulance service October 1.
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Following service complaints from residents, county officials last fall decided to let their contract with American Medical Response end this September 30 and allow VPSD and Sumter County Fire and EMS to conduct their own ambulance operations, the report says.
The department is still waiting on other vehicles and equipment, and it will soon begin training on them.
Supply chain issues have caused delays, but all are expected to be ready for October 1. The ensuing arrivals are as follows: four in May, five in August, and two in September, the report notes.
The ambulances automatically lower themselves about six inches when the back doors open to make it easier to load, the report says. The apparatus’ twin is on its way to FDIC International in Indianapolis (IN) from April 25-30.
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