Paramedics in Central New York have waited months or years for new ambulances.
Many are forced to use old models, which they would like to replace due to safety issues.
WAVES Ambulance Director Eric Kehoe spoke with CNY Central and explained why this was a major issue. If one of the older ambulances broke down on the way to an emergency, it could cost a person their life. Kehoe’s crew is located in Camillus and first put in for a new ambulance in 2020 but were told it wouldn’t be available until mid-2021. They had to get rid of that order in order to get a second hand ambulance and are waiting for a new one that won’t be ready until 2023.
North Eastern Rescue Vehicles supplies most ambulances to areas in New York, Vermont, and New England. While they could once provide a new ambulance within 90 days, it now takes two to three years. In addition to having to wait even longer, they cost 40% more.
This is forcing crews to maintain older ambulances that should have been retired by now.
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