×

Manistique to get new ambulance

MANISTIQUE — The Manistique City Council OK’d the purchase of a new ambulance during a recent special meeting.

The Manistique Public Safety Department has four ambulances in its EMS division. As of Dec. 13, one of these vehicles had a blown motor, leaving the department with only three working ambulances.

“It’s absolutely imperative that we have functional ambulances,” Councilperson Paul Walker said.

Walker noted this is especially true for Schoolcraft County, as it is geographically one of Michigan’s largest counties.

The vehicle with the motor issue was a 2010 Ford F-450 ambulance that had a 6.0 diesel motor and 160,000 miles.

“This ambulance has had a multitude of issues since 2015, which has had a cost of over $20,000 in repairs, not including warranty covered issues which had a value of over $15,000,” Manistique Public Safety Department Director Kenneth Golat wrote in a letter to Mayor Mike Perilloux and members of the Manistique City Council.

Golat went on to describe the ambulance’s motor as “infamous for defects.” He noted the cost of replacing the motor from Bay View Truck & Auto Service in Gladstone would be $23,130.

Golat consulted Bay View’s owner and other ambulance services, along with other knowledgeable people, regarding the situation. These individuals did not recommend replacing the motor, as the replacement would be the same engine that has been giving Manistique Public Safety issues. Additionally, the ambulance had other pending repair problems — including issues related to its transmission and drivetrain, among others — that replacing the motor would not have addressed.

“Having full knowledge of the issues we have had with this unit, I myself cannot recommend repair as this ambulance has been nothing but an endless money pit, which also compromises our ability to serve the public as it is constantly down for repairs,” Golat wrote.

Instead, Golat sought permission to buy a new ambulance at a price not to exceed $150,000. The council unanimously approved the request.

“We elected to just get rid (of) the old ambulance,” Walker said.

According to Walker, the public safety department ordered an ambulance after the meeting. The new vehicle will not use a diesel motor.

“We actually are going to gasoline ambulances now, I understand,” he said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today