Anonymous4:28 PM

bob

i have no clue on where you got the 3 year life expectancy from ? ambulances that have proper maintenance and care and pass the state inspection and laws 105 cmr 170.00 there is no reason for this town to get 10 years out of them ! just my 2 cents worth.

Does anyone see a problem with a 10 year old ambulance? I understand one of the main reasons for new equipment for the DPW is maintenance costs becoming too high. I was curious about this CMR 105  170.00, so I checked. I am thinking that with a of the requirements, administrative and the vehicles physical condition, the Town would be foolish to keep an ambulance for 10 years. Just think of how fast your car or truck's equipment availability can or has changed? Do you want to be transported or cared for from a 10 year old vehicle. What would be the value of such an old vehicle?

What condition would the ambulance be in after 10 years of winter time running?  Again, this is not a plow truck, this is life saving equipment. Now if Templeton has two ambulances, maybe keep one for 10 years but I believe if you are going to be in the ambulance business, you keep one as new and up to date as possible. I am sure there are other ways and schedules to come up with, but I also think the Town needs to look at this from a financial point as well. I mean check on the cost of an ambulance today and then guesstimate what it will be 10 years out. I believe if one checks on municipal finance, 5 years out is the max for financial planning purposes with three being optimum. That may be the reason for the three year plan, as 10 or even 5 years out is just too far out to accurately plan for and is that not one of the biggest complaints/issues with regards to Templeton's finance, lack of good planning. Of course if we want good planning, we need good inclusive information, such as detailed financial reports monthly, which the selectmen seem unwilling to give to the Advisory Committee and departments, which in my opinion, is a big problem.

As an FYI, I drive a 2005 Dodge, I needed to replace a brake line so I went to Dodge parts, that line was now obsolete, not available, I was told I would have to go to an automotive parts store to get materials to make one. I am fortunate in I do that type of work. Back to a 10 year old vehicle, an ambulance, which is involved in life saving. What will be the availability and costs for 5 or 8 year old parts? 10 year old parts anyone?

I am not sure what class of Ambulance Templeton has. Perhaps Anon 4:28 knows this.

from CMR 105 170.00:

A Class V ambulance is a vehicle that does not meet the minimum vehicle design and construction standards of any other class of ambulance, but which may be used to carry a patient in the horizontal position, with sufficient room for an EMT to accompany the patient in the patient compartment. A Class V ambulance may be dispatched to the scene of an emergency to bring trained personnel and appropriate equipment and supplies.

170.455: Class I A Class I ambulance shall be used primarily for emergency dispatch to and transport of sick and injured persons from the scene of an emergency. A Class I ambulance may also be used for scheduled transportation by prior appointment of persons having known and non-emergent medical condition. It shall meet the following minimum requirements: (A) Vehicle Design and Construction. (1) An ambulance service may only purchase, accept or put into operation a Class I vehicle which conforms with the specifications set out in administrative requirements of the Department which are in effect at the date of vehicle production. In the case of municipal services, standards are those in effect at the date of acceptance of a manufacturer’s bid. (2) The Commissioner or his designee may waive specific requirements included in the federal specifications referenced in 105 CMR 170.455(A)(1) where alternatives provide comparable protection of the public health and safety. Requests for waivers or variations must be filed and approved by the Department before the bid or order process is undertaken. Such requests for waiver or variations are not subject to the general waiver requirement set forth in 105 CMR 170.275. (B) Vehicle Equipment. A Class I ambulance shall be equipped at a minimum with the vehicle equipment specified in the administrative requirements entitled Vehicle Equipment Guidelines - Class I. Amendments to such administrative requirements shall be circulated to licensees for review and comment at least 60 days prior to adoption. (C) Medical Equipment and Supplies. A Class I ambulance shall be equipped at a minimum with medical equipment and supplies as specified in the administrative requirements entitled Medical Equipment and Supplies - Class I. Amendments to such administrative requirements shall be circulated to licensees for review and comment at least 60 days prior to adoption.

 In the case of municipal services, standards are those in effect at the date of acceptance of a manufacturer’s bid. (2) The Commissioner or his designee may waive specific requirements included in the federal specifications referenced in 105 CMR 170.460(A)(1) where alternatives provide comparable protection of the public health and safety. Requests for waivers of variations must be filed and approved by the Department before the bid or order process is undertaken. Such requests for waiver or variation are not subject to the general waiver requirement set forth in 105 CMR 170.275.