Published July 13. 2021 11:04AM
The City of Bethlehem’s emergency medical services is placing two new ambulances into service with CARES Act funding provided by both Lehigh and Northampton Counties to cover the $179,000 per vehicle cost. The 2021 Ford E350 units replace a 2011 ambulance with over 120,000 miles and a 2012 ambulance with over 115,000 miles. One will be housed at the Stefko Boulevard station and the Dewberry Avenue station. In his remarks, Mayor Bob Donchez noted that the eight-vehicle EMS fleet has undergone a near complete upgrade during his term.
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said he was happy to be able to provide the assistance and mentioned future opportunities for municipalities in Northampton County to access the county’s emergency services fund for other EMS needs. Although not in attendance Lehigh County ERxecutive Phillips Armstrong was credited for his assistance as well.
Bethlehem’s EMS responds to approximately 12,000 calls annually and has a force of 24 full-time paramedics and support staff, and 33 part-time paramedics.
PRESS PHOTO BY DANA GRUB EMS supervisor EJ Coleman, Mayor Robert Donchez, and EMS Director Tom Docker were smiling with the delivery of two new ambulances. The Ford E350 models cost $179,000 apiece and were funded by 2020 CARES Act funding received by Northampton and Lehigh counties. They were manufactured by VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists.
Both ambulances have been inspected and licensed with only the programming of NARC drug containment boxes remaining before they are placed into service.
Stretcher mounts were included in the construction of each ambulance box. These safety devices prevent the stretchers from rolling around in the event of an ambulance rollover.
Each ambulance cab is loaded with the latest technology and features.
Paramedic Supervisor EJ Coleman discusses the features he incorporated into the ambulance designs with Mayor Robert Donchez, EMS Director Tom Decker and Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure. Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong was unable to attend.
