WJHL
The city fire department in Bristol Virginia will begin providing ambulance services to the downtown area in July. The used ambulance cost the city about $17,000 to purchase. Fire Chief Mike Armstrong says the move stands to save tax payers nearly a $100,000.
The truck will not only will it be used for ambulance calls but it will also be used in the event of a fire emergency.
“We’ve got the capabilities and skill-set within the fire department, this is going to enable us to further expand and deliver that service to the tax payer,” Chief Armstrong said.
The new ambulance is also expected to reduce response times in the downtown area.
“Once we staff the ambulance we get to running calls that is less time the citizens have to wait for a transport unit to begin care and transport to the hospital to a physician,” Captain Jay Gouge said.
The Bristol Life Saving crew will still maintain their normal calls while the fire department’s unit will run in addition. The new truck still has to be outfitted with equipment.
