The Dallas County Emergency Medical Services Department was recently approved for some new equipment.

EMS Director Mike Thomason presented the Board of Supervisors with a request for an ambulance remount, and a new power load system in the vehicle. Thomason said he did some research and inquired about prices for either a remount of a current ambulance, or a completely new vehicle. After weighing the options, he thought it best to take the box off the old ambulance and attach it to a new chassis. The chassis itself and the remounting process will both be handled by Arrow Manufacturing, who Thomason said he’s worked with many times before.

As for the power load system, Thomason recommended purchasing a Stryker model, though he said eventually the department will likely move to another type that’s still in development. All total, the purchases will cost $147,835, which will be paid as normal budgeted items for the EMS Department. Thomason expects both purchases to be ready for use by July 1st, and should be good for around six years.