Mentor City Council recently approved the purchase of a new ambulance and rescue fire engine to replace aging vehicles in the Mentor Fire Department’s fleet.
Both new vehicles were planned for in the city’s yearly budget, utilizing funds gathered through the city’s current fire levy, City Manager Kenneth Filipiak noted at the Sept. 21 meeting.
Fire Chief Robert Searles explained to council that the new ambulance, a 2022 Braun Chief XL, will replace an older 2004 Braun model, which will then be moved into reserve status.
The total cost for the new ambulance, which will be built to meet the fire department’s requirements by Penn Care, Incorporated of Niles, Ohio, will be $235,896. Searles said the purchase cost is $11,000 under what was originally budgeted.