Lethbridge fire department finds way to extend ambulance life

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on December 10, 2024.

Submitted photo - Chris Tomaras, Deputy Chief of Operations with LFES speaks to media about remounting ambulances on new chassis as a way to prolong their lifespan Monday at Firehall No. 1

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services has found a way to extend the lifespans of their ambulances by remounting their boxes onto new chassis, saving money and reducing waste.

They have remounted two ambulances so far and plans to remount five more by the end of 2026, demonstrating the City of Lethbridge’s commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility.

Chris Tomaras, Deputy Chief of Operations said Monday the process decreases down time for the ambulances.

“We can get the ambulances that we currently have remounted in about six to eight weeks once a chassis comes from the manufacturing. A whole build takes about three years versus a one year turn around,” said Tomaras.

He explained that the remount process is basically taking the ambulance box off the chassis, refurbishing that, make sure all the seals and anything that has to do with the inside gets repaired, then a new chassis is brought in and then the ambulance box gets remounted.

In terms of financial savings, Tomaras said this is saving about 31 per cent, which amounts to roughly $88,000 per unit.

“Any money that we are able to save in our budget, we try to look at new and innovative technologies or equipment that we can now advance our medical care and services for the City of Lethbridge,” said Tomaras.

He said one of them would be their cardiac survivability program and their automated CPR device that has been recognized at a national level.

Melissa Davies, Fleet Procurement and Lease Coordinator with the City of Lethbridge also spoke to media Monday and said the response from ambulance operators have been very positive so far.

“With the way the units come in with the refurbished body, they’re essentially like a new unit and they go through all the same safety inspections to ensure we’re meeting provincial regulations,” said Davies.