Lawrence Fire Medical Chief Mark Bradford and his team of fire and coroner’s office investigators will finally be able to move out of their current investigations vehicle, a modified 1991 Ford ambulance suffering from a laundry list of problems so long that Bradford can’t recall every issue.
The new vehicle is a specially made office on wheels that will allow investigators more room and workspace when looking into the cause of deaths countywide and fires within Lawrence according to Bradford.
“I think it will enhance our operations,” said Bradford. “It will make us more efficient.”
With space for four investigators to work and to conduct interviews the vehicle is a drastic improvement from the converted ambulance the city has been using, explained Bradford. He said the purpose of the Special Investigations Vehicle is to allow investigators to conduct post-incident investigations more efficiently; something that was not capable with the old vehicle.
Bradford explained the converted ambulance had very limited space to work in and was in poor physical condition at 16-years-old.
“It has a large number of operating hours,” said Bradford. In addition to having a high maintenance cost, the old ambulance also had transmission issues Bradford explained.
Bradford also said that through the Homeland Security Administration the city would host a Mass Casualty Facility Trailer. The trailer will hold equipment to be used in the event of an incident where up to 250 people need medical attention. He said the new Special Investigations Vehicle would be able to tow the Mass Casualty Trailer.
Roger Brown, the Kansas sales representative for Pierce Manufacturing, and Bradford described it as a multi-purpose unit. Pierce Manufacturing sells the new top-of-the-line models for $350,000, according to Brown. The city saved money by purchasing a demonstration model that is currently on display in Washington D.C.
“We made sure we get the best use for the funds,” said Bradford. “We didn’t need a brand-new vehicle.”
Debbie Van Saun, Lawrence Assistant City Manager, explained that the city saved money by buying a demonstration model and offering the vehicle for joint operations with Douglas County.
“It’s a positive collaboration for city and county to meet public safety needs,” Van Saun said.
The total cost of the new vehicle is $222,695. Lawrence will pay $205,000 and Douglas County will contribute $17,695 according to Bradford. Bradford said Lawrence’s portion would be taken out of the 2007 operating budget.
“The fire chief did a good job researching to get the best bang for our buck,” Van Saun said. “Although it’s not brand-spanking-new, it’s able to meet our needs.”
Van Saun said that the vehicle was inspected by city officials before the purchase and was assessed to be just what they were looking for.
According to Bradford that’s exactly what the city needs. A “mini mobile command center” as Brown described it.
Van Saun said the purchase was acquired through the Mid-America Regional Council. The MARC assists local departments in purchasing specialty vehicles and specialty items that are hard to come by. Van Saun says a vehicle like this falls into that category.
Rita Parker, Program Coordinator for the Kansas City Regional Purchasing Cooperative, says the goal of working cooperatively on purchases such as the Special Services Vehicle promotes relations between government agencies and can provide a significant discount for the eight counties and 116 cities KCRPC works with.
Bradford expects the vehicle to be delivered to Lawrence within the next 60-90 days. He said it would be housed at Old Fire Station No. 2 at 1839 Massachusetts St.