Cleveland City Schools donates lightly used ambulance to Bradley County; commission authorizes transfer

Cleveland City Schools offered a lightly used ambulance to Bradley County and the commission voted May 18 to authorize the mayor to sign transfer documents, accepting the vehicle at no cost. Dr. Jeff Elliot, representing Cleveland City Schools, told the commission the ambulance has about 5,500 miles and that the school board voted to transfer title so the vehicle can be used for county medical services.

Dr. Jeff Elliot said the district would like limited, semester-based access for its career and technical education students: “we're able to use it once a semester… so that our health science programs and students can have access to it,” and added the vehicle could assist at school football games. Mayor Davis and several commissioners said the donation arrives at a useful time for Bradley County EMS, which had not budgeted for an additional ambulance this year.

The mayor introduced a resolution authorizing him to sign the interlocal paperwork transferring the ambulance. A motion and second were recorded and the commission approved the resolution by roll-call vote, 12 in favor, none opposed, two absent. Commissioners also discussed taking a photograph with the ambulance outside after the meeting.

The resolution was described in the meeting as a no-cost transfer; Mayor Davis said county staff would complete the legal steps and send the paperwork to the state if required. The county will work with Cleveland City Schools and Bradley County EMS to finalize use and scheduling for the vehicle.