City Council
$1 million transfer approved for two new ambulances as fleet needs mount.
On March 4, council gave preliminary approval to use $1 million in grant money for two new ambulances. A council member also asked about two out-of-service fire vehicles. The city's senior fleet manager said the city should push hard to buy fire vehicles. But he said new ones must be modified for narrow streets and hills, so they can take years to arrive.
Written by Amy Whipple
Money for city vehicles is rolling along.
Council gave preliminary approval at the March 4 committee meeting to transfer $1 million in grant funds to purchase two new ambulances. Firmin Maurice IV, senior fleet manager, said that the money is from a previously accepted grant. It is in addition to the $2 million from the PNC Foundation in Jan.
While Maurice was at the table, Council Member Barb Warwick of Greenfield asked about two out-of-service fire vehicles.
Maurice confirmed that the Equipment Leasing Authority is finalizing its vehicle purchase plan for the year. He also recommended that the city "aggressively pursue" fire vehicles, with the additional $10 million allocation by council in the 2026 budget.
Fire vehicles have to be modified to navigate the city's narrow streets and hills so orders for new trucks can take three or four years to fulfill, he said.
Maurice also said that purchase recommendations and priorities are available in last year's fleet efficiency report to council.
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- City Council · March 3, 2026
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