Dundee Fire Department seeks funds for ambulance

DUNDEE--The Dundee Fire Department will be conducting a fund drive to raise the necessary money to replace an aging ambulance in their fleet. Fire Chief Steve Warriner said the vehicle to be replaced is more than 14 years old, adding it is one of two ambulances in the department. He mentioned the department is looking for a year-old demo model, which can cost between $140,000 and $150,000, while building a new ambulance can range to more than $200,000.
"Like everybody else's budget, we are tight on our budget too," Warriner said. "We are going to send out a letter to the people in our fire district asking if they would be willing to help us by making donations to help raise the funds for purchasing the vehicle. We have always had lots of support from the community in the past."
Captain Ray Miller said both ambulances travel roughly 15,000 miles a year and respond to some 500 calls a year. There are 16 members on the ambulance squad, with the ambulances often traveling along rough conditions on back roads. They also respond to mutual aid calls in other fire districts like Penn Yan and Watkins Glen.
Warriner said the other ambulance they use is a 2008 model. He added the department is hoping they can raise as much as they can through the fund drive for the ambulance, but will most likely have to go to the village to help make up the difference.
"It would be great to raise all of that, but you have got to be realistic," Warriner said.
Warriner mentioned he would like to accomplish purchasing the ambulance within the next three to four months. Miller stated the department just had to replace the transmission in the aging ambulance, adding it has cost more and more money to keep it running the past couple of years. The two mentioned they are looking to find a good demo unit available to save on the additional cost and regulations associated with building a new one.