Red Oak F&R puts new ambulance in operation

Red Oak’s Fire and Rescue Department is celebrating the arrival of a new ambulance.
The ambulance itself is a pickup truck model that replaces one of the models repeatedly suffering from engine problems.
“They constructed a new emissions motor, and it’s done nothing but break down repeatedly.  It’s had to be towed; we’ve had to have patients transferred from it,” said Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce.
He said the ambulance became a liability issue, and the city council gave permission to purchase a new ambulance. Bruce said he’s pleased with the truck style of the new ambulance.
“With the pick-up chassis, the maintenance is less, and it has smaller tires. Eventually, we’ll be without an in-house mechanic, and we can’t afford to transport it for service, so this type can be worked on by service shops here in Red Oak,” Bruce said.
Bruce added the reliability of the new vehicle is a relief to the staff.
“When they got into the ambulance, there was always a fear of it breaking down and leaving them stranded. The staff also participated in aspects of the new ambulance’s design as well,” commented Bruce.
Red Oak Mayor Bill Billings said the ambulance is a prime example of the equipment purchased with local option sales tax money.
“It provides us with truly life-saving protection equipment. The majority is spent on ambulances, fire apparatus, and police vehicles. These are the public’s vehicles,” Billings said.