The new ambulance, in a contributed photo.
DERBY — Storm Ambulance Corps recently welcomed a new addition to its fleet.
A 2022 ambulance went into operation a few weeks ago, according to Storms’ Chief Tom Lenart. The new ambulance replaces a 28-year-old vehicle. Lenart said ambulances last about 15 years max.
Lenart said the old ambulance had become increasingly unreliable.
“Every time that old one went out, I held my breath,” Lenart said.
Derby Fire Commissioner Gary Parker concurred.
“It’s a Godsend that the city has the new ambulance,” Parker said. “Storms have historically always had two ambulances. About two years ago, one went out of service and the city purchased a used ambulance. The second one was just shot. We would run it for a day, and then it was in for two days of service and repairs. It was cost prohibitive to keep that one in service, and it became very unreliable.”
Parker said the Emergency Services Advisory Committee approached Mayor Richard Dziekan about replacing the ambulance. Dziekan and the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen approved the purchase, voting to allocate the cost — $385,000 — from the city’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Both Lenart and Parker said they lucked out in finding a new ambulance so quickly. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Parker said there’s an ongoing supply chain issue with vehicle computer chips.
“You can’t find new ambulances, they’re just not available,” Parker said.
Lenart reached out to a North Haven dealership, New England Fire Apparatus, which tracked down one of the only available ambulances in the northeast.
“New vehicle order times are approximately 18 months due to supply chain issues,” Lenart said. “This was a demo vehicle that was available immediately after it was shown at several fire and EMS conventions.
Lenart said the new ambulance, because it was used as a flagship model at several trade shows, came packed with extras, as well as green technology to help save on fuel costs.
“It’s like what many of the new cars come with today; when the ambulance stops and idles, the engine (temporarily) shuts down, and then restarts,” Lenart said.
Lenart said for every hour of idling, one ambulance burns about 1.5 gallons of fuel and emits about 33 pounds of pounds of carbon dioxide and puts 35 – 50 miles’ worth of wear and tear on the engine. The green technology built in helps significantly reduce all those factors, Lenart said.
Lenart said the technology is in use in several big city fire and EMS departments across the country, from New York City to Long Beach, Cali.
“It saves a lot of wear and tear on the motor,” Lenart said.
The new ambulance is also equipped with cameras on every side of the vehicle, has a low-profile entry system that’s especially helpful for older people accompanying a patient to get into the vehicle easier, has safer crew restraint systems and a larger passenger compartment allowing EMTs more room to work.
“It’s just a much better experience all around,” said Lenart. “Our thanks to the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen, the city and the EMS Advisory Committee. (They) did the residents of Derby a huge favor in guaranteeing a safe, reliable and comfortable ride to the hospital.”
Lenart, who was recently recognized for his 50 years of service to Storms, said the agency responded to 2,400 ambulance calls last year.
He said a formal dedication ceremony will happen sometime next month to coincide with Storms’ 75th anniversary.
“It’s great to have something new and reliable for the city and its residents,” Parker said. “The name of the game is to get people to a care center safely and reliably.”
