Essex-Windsor EMS is getting seven new ambulances.
At Essex County council Wednesday evening, EMS chief Bruce Krauter delivered a report to council seeking approval for seven new ambulances, including two hybrid-vehicles.
“Paramedics don't even know they are driving a hybrid-ambulance so that's a positive,” says Krauter. “It's a quieter ride for the patients, another positive, and there's economic benefits saving in fuel economy and brakes. We are getting two to test it out and make sure it's working and in the future I'd like to slowly integrate our fleet into hybrids to lessen our impact on the carbon footprint."
The total cost is $1.3 million.
That is more than budgeted, but Krauter believes that can be largely recouped through the sale of a number of ambulances which are now leaving service.
Those units can be sold or traded.
The new ambulances are expected to be on the road by spring.
Chief Krauter tells CTV News the Town of Oxford is already finding good results with its new hybrid-ambulances.
