Ambulance
By: Brian Roach – Staff Writer
Two years ago, when it came time for the Pennington First Aid Squad to replace two ambulances, Capt. Kirk Schmidt and his squad came up with an idea that will save taxpayers approximately $50,000.
Rather than replace the 12-year-old ambulance, Mr. Schmidt explained, the squad decided to "rebox" it – preserving the rear-end of the ambulance, where patients ride, and replacing the truck, its furniture and its upholstery.
The cost of "reboxing" an ambulance – which Mr. Schmidt compares to renovating a house – is approximately $90,000, while purchasing a new ambulance would cost nearly $140,000.
"Generally, every 15 to 18 years we (the Pennington First Aid Squad) would buy a new ambulance," Mr. Schmidt said, noting that the squad usually gets financial assistance from Pennington Borough and Hopewell Township. "But, everyone really liked the ‘box’ on this truck . . . and, with the economic climate the way it is, we knew that funds (from local government) were going to be a lot harder to come by."
After the decision to "rebox" was made two years ago, the Pennington First Aid Squad contracted First Priority in Manchester, to complete the job. First Priority was chosen, Mr. Schmidt explained, partially because of its in-state location.
"It’s great that we were able to keep our business, and our funds, in New Jersey," Mr. Schmidt said. "It also allowed us to meet with the fabricator frequently in an effort to make sure that things were done right and on schedule."
According to Mr. Schmidt, the $90,000 project included the replacement of insulation, wiring and countertops in the "box," the upgrade to energy-efficient diodes in the ambulance’s outside flashing lights and the transfer of the vehicle’s radio equipment. Funding for the project was made possible by the squad’s annual fundraiser, its frugality and the donations of borough residents, Mr. Schmidt said.
"We (the Pennington First Aid Squad) are very frugal," Mr. Schmidt said. "We plan ahead so that we can replace things when they need to be replaced."
Members of the Pennington squad are impressed with the truck, Mr. Schmidt said, even though the project took longer than expected. The ambulance arrived – and was accepted – two weeks ago, he added. It is fully operational.
"We’re very pleased with how (the ambulance) turned out, and how it looks," Mr. Schmidt said. "Even though it (the striping) is ugly," he added, noting that the striping – a yellow/red color combination popular in Europe – while unattractive, leaves his drivers feeling "much more visible" and safe on the road.
Mr. Schmidt said the Board of Fire Commissioners was left so impressed by the squad’s "reboxing" – or "remounting" – project that it will consider making it the model for the borough’s emergency services.
To learn more about the Pennington First Aid Squad, visit: www.penningtonfirstaid.org.