Ware County considers DEF 'delete' for ambulances and $55,489 vehicle lift to shore up maintenance capacity

At the Nov. 11 Ware County work session, Interim County Manager Melinda Brooks presented a request to install DEF full delete bundles on two ambulances after EMS staff reported the units had DEF system failures that left them out of service.

EMS Director Dr. Bill Parham, Captain/Paramedic Harlee Harris and Paramedic/Lieutenant/Fleet Manager Chris Bowers told commissioners the county is operating one frontline ambulance and three reserve units, and that the two newest trucks (M6 and M7) were at Grady’s Automotive with DEF problems. "Vehicle Maintenance can install these systems once received," Bowers said. Staff noted state inspections are scheduled in six weeks, creating urgency to address vehicle readiness.

Brooks also presented a vehicle maintenance purchase request for a drive-on lift capable of accommodating a 307-inch wheelbase and 30,000‑lb vehicles, including a 15,000‑lb rolling air/hydraulic lift jack; the vendor quoted was LTE (Lewis Tool & Equipment, LLC) for a total of $55,489.12 including installation and delivery. Public Works Director Larry Thrift explained the lift would allow in‑county servicing of dump trucks and ambulances, reducing reliance on outside shops.

Brooks and York previously indicated that one of the ambulance purchases identified in the finance update would need SPLOST funding. Both the DEF delete request and the rolling lift purchase were placed on the regular meeting agenda for formal consideration; no final procurement votes occurred during the work session.