Valdosta council approves purchase of two quick-response vehicles, federal grant cuts city cost
March 07, 2026 | Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia
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Valdosta’s City Council on Tuesday approved a bid to purchase two quick-response vehicles (QRVs) intended to respond specifically to emergency medical calls, replacing one 30-year-old unit and adding a new vehicle to the fleet.
John Burton, speaking for the fire department, told the council the QRVs “will respond to emergency medical calls throughout the city, reducing the call volume the fire engines are answering and reducing operational wear on frontline engines.” Staff recommended accepting the low bid from Cass Birch in the amount of $649,374, and Burton said a congressional grant of $328,000 will reduce the city’s share to about $160,687.
The approval came after a motion from a council member and a second; the chair called for a show-of-hands vote and the council approved the purchase. The meeting record shows a voice/hand vote but does not include a roll-call tally.
The council and staff said one of the new vehicles will replace a 30-year-old truck and the second will expand the department’s capacity to respond to medical calls. City staff invited council members to visit the department’s training burn building, a separate project funded by a different grant, to observe operations.
Next steps include finalizing the contract with the low bidder and coordinating delivery and equipping of the vehicles for operational service.
John Burton, speaking for the fire department, told the council the QRVs “will respond to emergency medical calls throughout the city, reducing the call volume the fire engines are answering and reducing operational wear on frontline engines.” Staff recommended accepting the low bid from Cass Birch in the amount of $649,374, and Burton said a congressional grant of $328,000 will reduce the city’s share to about $160,687.
The approval came after a motion from a council member and a second; the chair called for a show-of-hands vote and the council approved the purchase. The meeting record shows a voice/hand vote but does not include a roll-call tally.
The council and staff said one of the new vehicles will replace a 30-year-old truck and the second will expand the department’s capacity to respond to medical calls. City staff invited council members to visit the department’s training burn building, a separate project funded by a different grant, to observe operations.
Next steps include finalizing the contract with the low bidder and coordinating delivery and equipping of the vehicles for operational service.
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