DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District's new ambulance has arrived and is anticipated to be in service by March 1 as an Advanced Life Support unit.

 

The new apparatus arrived in basic white so still needs its decals and lettering put on and to be outfitted with supplies.

 

In December, district voters approved borrowing up to $350,000 to purchase a new ambulance and any related costs.

 

The district contracted RSI Signs in Pittsfield to complete the 2024 Ford F450 Road Rescue Ambulance decals. 

 

The department is still using its 2019 Ford Econoline for calls until the new apparatus is ready to be put in service.

 

The Fire Department has two ambulances: a 2019 Ford Econoline and a 2016 International. During several meetings, it was demonstrated that both vehicles needed to be replaced because of their deteriorating condition. 

 

The district will be trading in both vehicles. According to previous comments from the district, the Ford has a trade-in value of $30,000 and the International $2,500. 

 

All the paperwork to trade in the vehicles has been completed, District Clerk and Treasurer Melanie Roucoulet said. 

 

The district got a loan from Greenfield Co-op with a 4.75 interest rate, which could go down in following years.