County buys new ambulance to replace current Peabody unit
Commissioners approved buying a $93,212 ambulance from Midwest Vehicle Professionals, Wichita. It will be based in Peabody.
No bids were requested. County Emergency Medical Services Director JoAnn Knak and crew representatives said the unit would offer better equipment, service, and maintenance than those offered by other companies.
Larry and Karen Larsen both work for emergency response organizations in Wichita and volunteer on the Peabody-based crew.
They said the MedTech brand ambulance offered more room, safety features, and service options that made it a wise investment. The county had budgeted $90,000 for ambulance replacement.
The Larsens said the Wichita dealer had a factory-trained mechanic to make repairs when needed, and would provide a loaner unit if necessary.
Knak said one county ambulance had spent a month out of state at a factory-authorized dealer of a competing brand. When she called to find out about the delay, she was told they had "forgot it was out there," she said.
Commissioners accepted the recommendation.
"When you have this much money out there, you need good quality," Chairman Bob Hein said. "That downtime can cost you a lot."
"I like the (Wichita-based) service and availability of a loaner," Commissioner Leroy Wetta agreed.
In a related matter, commissioners asked about the state of the current ambulance fleet.
Knak said the department generally replaces one unit every three years, taking turns between Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody, and Tampa-based units. The replaced unit first goes to Marion, where it is stored as a countywide backup. That backup unit goes to the first responder team with the oldest unit, which is then sold by sealed bid.
The fleet includes the following units, identified by year. All but the staff vehicle are built on Ford chassis.
Ambulances — Peabody, 1991; Marion, 1995, 1985 (backup); Hillsboro, 1997; Tampa, 1999.
Rescue truck — 1989, based in Marion.
First responders (no patient transport) — Burns, 1978, 1989; Durham, 1979; Lincolnville, 1979; Goessel, 1987.
Staff vehicle — 2001 Dodge Durango.
United Way
Commissioners voted to endorse forming a United Way of Marion County.
Gordon Mohn, Hillsboro, made the request. He represents a task force that includes Jessie Nikkel, Eloise Mueller, Vince Nikkel, Linda Ogden, Sherry Soyez, Bob Unruh, Shawn Winter, Delores Dalke, Cynthia Fleming, Laura Legg, Carl Long, and Kelly Krich.
Mohn said the task force planned to create a partnership with Harvey County United Way. This would allow them to share Harvey County's non-profit status and administrative support.
All donations to Marion County United Way would remain separate from Harvey County, Mohn said. There would be separate allocation committees in each county.
"It's not Harvey County coming to Marion County, it's a Marion County organization," he said.
Organizers expect Marion County United Way to begin accepting donations by the end of the year.
In addition, the task force wanted one or more commissioners to join the group, and asked that county employees be allowed to support the United Way through a payroll deduction plan.
Commissioners unanimously gave their endorsement, and said they would support payroll deductions.
Commissioner Howard Collett said individuals and businesses could contribute to United Way and end constant requests for donations from various groups.
"Tell them you do it through the United Way, and send them there," he said. "The allocation committee screens all applications."
In other reports:
A lake road committee met with commissioners and road and bridge superintendent Gerald Kelsey to thank county crews for their work. The county used millings on some of the roads that had been approved by county officials decades ago. "Gerald and his crew did a magnificent job," said spokesman Ed Davies.
County ambulances answered 76 calls in July. Of those, 29 were by Marion-based crews; 19, Hillsboro-based; 18, Peabody-based; and 10, Tampa-based. Goessel-based first responders answered two calls, with Lincolnville-, Durham-, and Burns-based crews answering one each.
Commissioners declined a request from Virgil Buckner for rock on a road at the county lake. Buckner said he had an agreement with the county, that the county would provide the rock if he bought the first load. Commissioners said the road in question was not platted as a public road. It is considered a private drive, with maintenance an issue for the property owners.
