Council hears case to reallocate capital funds to buy replacement ambulance after reliability problems
March 31, 2026 | Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey
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The Village Council discussed reallocation of capital funds on March 30 after the fire chief explained the department’s oldest ambulance (unit 48) has exceeded 10 years of service, required multiple tows and repairs, and is no longer reliably available for emergency calls.
The chief told council members a seller contacted the department about two ambulances that became available after another career department backed out of a purchase. He described the opportunity as a chance to obtain a unit that could be delivered in 30 to 60 days at a substantially lower price than ordering a new ambulance, which he estimated would cost in the $350,000–$450,000 range.
“If we get the approval from the council here, we can pass a resolution in a week and a half,” the management representative said; the chief added that the only additional outfitting anticipated would be a single radio and its installation, which he estimated at about $11,000 and said is covered in a separate capital account. Council members expressed support for prioritizing a reliable ambulance fleet and discussed replenishing the sinking fund later in the year or via a supplemental bond ordinance.
No final appropriation vote was recorded during the workshop; staff said they would proceed with a resolution in short order if council gives preliminary approval.
The chief told council members a seller contacted the department about two ambulances that became available after another career department backed out of a purchase. He described the opportunity as a chance to obtain a unit that could be delivered in 30 to 60 days at a substantially lower price than ordering a new ambulance, which he estimated would cost in the $350,000–$450,000 range.
“If we get the approval from the council here, we can pass a resolution in a week and a half,” the management representative said; the chief added that the only additional outfitting anticipated would be a single radio and its installation, which he estimated at about $11,000 and said is covered in a separate capital account. Council members expressed support for prioritizing a reliable ambulance fleet and discussed replenishing the sinking fund later in the year or via a supplemental bond ordinance.
No final appropriation vote was recorded during the workshop; staff said they would proceed with a resolution in short order if council gives preliminary approval.
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