A restored Derby ambulance responded to its first call around 4 a.m. Aug. 23.
The crew consisted of EMT Uvino and EMT Brie Lenart, keeping a family tradition for more than 65 years. Brie is the granddaughter of Ambulance Corps founder Ed Cotter Jr., who took the Storm’s first ambulance call in 1948.
Derby now has two working ambulances.
Thanks to funds from the city capitol plan, the older ambulance received a new chassis.
The ambulance is called FD-10. It previously had an 18-year-old International chassis originally manufactured by Horton Ambulance, but started becoming problematic after racking up 200,000 miles and 300,000 hours of service.
Storm Ambulance purchased a 2014 chassis from the state bid contractors list, saving a significant amount of money.
It was then sent along with the old ambulance to Twin Lights Body Shop of Milford to have the old rear compartment removed from the old chassis and installed on the new one. The refurbishment took about five months.
Storm Ambulance Chief David Lenart said he and the members of Storm Ambulance want to thank Ansonia Rescue Medical Services for their assistance covering the numerous times there were two or more medical emergencies in Derby.
ARMS also loaned a vehicle to Derby when the other ambulance (nine-year old FD‑9) was down for repairs or maintenance.
Lenart also thanked Board of Alderman President Barbara DeGennaro and the rest of the board for their support to allow the work to happen, and the city’s capitol planning committee, including chairman Keith McLiverty, for supporting the project.
Along with the new chassis, the ambulance also has a power lift stretcher, LED lighting, computer controls and enhanced safety markings.
Total cost for the project was $115,000.00.
