After several years of waiting, during which fund-raising was held and grants were pursued, the new ambulance for the City of Osmond has arrived.
The journey began in the spring of 2023 when the Osmond Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) team announced that they had received a $75,000 grant which would help with the purchase of a new ambulance unit.
At that time, the group stated that the new unit would cost $325,000. The Osmond Rural Fire Board owned two ambulances in 2023: a 1999 unit and a 2012 unit.
The new ambulance was to replace the older unit, with the 2012 ambulance to be relegated
as the backup unit.
Osmond EMT Captain Missy Hoppe said that the $325,000 cost would be for a basic ambulance unit, so all the newer equipment from the 2012 unit would be transferred to the new one, and equipment from the 1999 unit would transfer to the 2012 unit.
Fundraising began in earnest in June of 2023, and during the next couple of years, a number of both large and small donations were received, as were other grants to push the ambulance fund over the top.
The model ordered, which was delivered Monday, April 20, is a 2026 Ford Model 1170 Type I ambulance, which includes a 20-year structural body warranty, Trimark full floating automotive style compartment and entry door
handles, Per4Max seat belt system, C Channel extruded rub rails with reflective tape, and many
other features.
The Type I ambulances are built tough to withstand the rigors of fire service and tackle tough terrain.
Hoppe said it will take another week or so to get the new unit equipped with radios and sup plies. An open house will be planned sometime in the future, she said.
See pictures on Page 8 of the Osmond EMTs taking one of their continuing education classes
last week to help better serve their community.
