Officials with Barrow County Emergency Services (BCES) say their public safety efforts have been bolstered in recent weeks with the addition of two top-of-the-line ambulances that were added to their fleet.
BCES Chief John Skinner presented the ambulances to the county Board of Comissioners at a meeting held last week, according to a media release from BCES Lt. Scott Dakin.
Skinner said the ambulances replaced two older vehicles, providing emergency personnel with a more-dependible means of transportation and service.
"The ambulances were delivered to the department on February 9th and went into service on February 15th," Skinner said. "Having quality, dependable ambulances for these calls is critical."
The release said the vehicles were a necessity, with BCES responding to over 6,900 medical calls in 2015 alone.
The ambulances, which were "purchased as part of the capital improvement funding in this fiscal year's budget," were acquired through Ten-8 Fire Equipment in Forsyth, Georgia.
Speaking to commissioners, Skinner said he appreciated the board approving the transaction.
"We want to thank the Board of Commissioners for approving this purchase," he said. "The two ambulances are second-to-none in quality and the modern features will assist us in delivering quality customer service to our citizens."
Manufactured by Braun Industries, the vehicles are mounted on 2016 Dodge Ram 4500's and cost $202,584.00 apiece. Dakin said Braun Industries is "considered to be the best ambulance manufacturer in America," and they have "been manufacturing custom made ambulances for 42 years."
Dakin noted in the release that fire stations in Bethlehem and Auburn will house the ambulances.
