PVT file photo Two new ambulances, this time from Dodge, will be bought for the local fire rescue service. Advertisement

The Pahrump Town Board authorized the Pahrump Valley Fire Rescue Service (PVFRS) to let out bids for two new ambulances.

Fire Chief Scott Lewis explained to the board that the new vehicles are desperately needed.

His point was underscored when he first addressed the board and told it that two of the service's ambulances were already in the shop for repairs that are often needed.

A few minutes after telling the board this, however, Lewis was informed that while he was at the meeting, a third ambulance had broken down.

One of the reasons the ambulances are often in the shop is the excessive mileage the vehicles accrue from nearly daily transports to Las Vegas in addition to local EMT runs the trucks make.

"Ambulances have been an ongoing problem within the department as they continue to accrue a lot of miles on our vehicles," Lewis explained. "Our oldest vehicle, a 2001 model, now has approaching 400,000 road miles on it and our two newest 2005 models each have over a 100,000 road miles on them."

As the mileage on the vehicles increases, so do the costs.

The list of repairs that are frequently needed for the ambulances is considerable: towing charges, tires, exhaust systems, electrical, radiator and cooling repairs, brake system replacements, exhaust systems, not to mention simply keeping them gassed up.

And when an ambulance is in the shop, it isn't out serving residents of Pahrump.

Lewis emphasized that replacing ambulances was a last -- but necessary -- option. "We've explored about every conceivable option to maintain the ambulance fleet," he said.

Some of the options, such as engine replacement, were already being employed but were also extremely costly, Lewis explained.

One of the advantages of the new ambulances the PVFRS would be bidding on is that they will be Dodge vehicles.

As Lewis explained to the board, the current fleet is comprised of Ford vehicles that have been chronically unreliable.

"Dodge has now come into the market because, quite frankly, Ford has had a mechanical failure rate issue since 2003 with their six-liter engine," Lewis said. "It has caused havoc with our system and we continue to experience severe mechanical failure on a regular basis."

Lewis emphasized that this was a problem all over the country, not only for Pahrump.

"This is not inherent to Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue alone," Lewis said. "The RV industry, other ambulance operators, across the country have all had the same problems." In addition, having Dodge ambulances would give the fire department several advantages because there is a local dealer here.

Having a local facility able to repair the vehicles if and when they do break down would minimize towing expenses and reduce the cost expended on the manpower required to pick repaired ambulances up from Las Vegas.

And, if this weren't enough, one self-proclaimed lifelong "Ford man" endorsed the idea.

"Been one since I was 16 years old, '54 Ford convertible," the concerned citizen said. "Drove Ford, Lincolns, Mercurys all my life. But the particular engine we've been discussing tonight is a piece of junk. That ambulance needs to be taken out in the back parking lot and shot."

The ambulances would be purchased using funds from the enterprise fund capital budget.

Although the actual cost of the two vehicles will depend on the bid results, an approximate cost is listed at $230,000.

In other PVFRS news, a new position of "fire and life safety inspector" was approved by the town board.

The new administrative role fulfils the responsibilities of a Nevada certified fire inspector and will enforce building and fire codes for Pahrump.

In addition, the person employed in the position will also be responsible for some maintenance of operational equipment such as oxygen and the Cascade breathing apparatus system.

Furthermore, the future administrator may be required to conduct OSHA compliance training and SCBA fit testing.