OXFORD – The Oxford Fire Department faces delays and high costs as it replaces its aging Engine 5 and a 2018 ambulance that was totaled in an accident on Route 26 last June.

Fire Chief Ashley Wax-Armstrong has floated options that could shave years off the process, but since these vehicles are available on a first-come, first-served basis, the best way to acquire them would be to eliminate the usual bidding policy.

At the Oxford Select Board meeting on August 15, the fire chief stated that the ambulance involved in the June 14 accident was a total loss.

One of Oxford’s 2018 ambulances was totaled on July 12 after being involved in a head-on collision on Route 26. Photo provided

Since the vehicle is a total loss, Oxford is entitled to express delivery of a new ambulance.

The delivery time for fire engines is currently three to four years.

Taking into account the total loss, Oxford last ordered two ambulances in 2018 and had them delivered the following year.

Ashley Wax has identified two suitable replacement models: a Ford gasoline model with an ambulance body from Braun for $430,000 and a Ford diesel with an ambulance body from Demers for $380,000.

The Demers could be delivered within a few months; the Braun would be ready in about a year. Both vehicles are already on site at the Bangor-based dealer Autotronics.

“If you order a new ambulance through the usual channels, it can take three to four years to arrive,” said Wax-Armstrong. “But since we lost ours in an accident, it can be given priority for delivery.”

She further explained that Braun offers more durable and higher quality equipment than Demers and added that a gasoline engine is preferable to a diesel engine.

The total loss and the ambulance still in use are diesel trucks with brown boxes.

Autotronics Oxford is currently providing a loaner vehicle for the total loss vehicle free of charge; the city is responsible for maintenance.

Select Board Vice Chair Dana Dillingham asked if it would be possible to purchase the rental vehicle.

Wax-Armstrong responded that while the device worked well as a temporary solution, it was already ten years old and had covered 254,000 kilometers – so it was older and would probably not be as reliable in the future.

The councillors declined to use the expedited process and instructed Wax-Armstrong and City Manager Adam Garland to follow the city’s procedure and publish a notice of request for proposals.

Oxford’s ambulance problem mirrors the challenge of purchasing a fire truck, which was approved at the annual town meeting on June 1.

On July 18, Wax-Armstrong presented the cost estimates she had obtained for the purchase of a mini fire engine that would allow the fire department to more easily access waterfront properties on narrow private roads.

A Ford F550 truck that meets the city’s requirements could be purchased and delivered by February from Alexis Fire Equipment in New Hampshire. The equipped version would cost $491,000. The chassis cost of $78,000 would be paid for with funds from OFD’s capital reserve account.

Wax-Armstrong told the board that she was considering eliminating some options to reduce the price by $30,000 to $40,000. She suggested purchasing the truck at delivery through a lease-purchase arrangement.

Councillors balked at spending so much money without seeking competing bids and urged the fire chief to issue a request for proposals, following normal procedures, especially since other towns have purchased similar equipment at much lower prices.

Wax-Armstrong and Garland issued a request for proposals for a minipump earlier this month. The deadline to submit proposals is Sept. 3. The Select Board will consider the proposals during its Sept. 5 business meeting.

Copy the story link