An unusually large donation means a new, important piece of equipment of the Gurnee Fire Department, its chief said Monday.
Thanks to the Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District, which works closely with the Gurnee department to cover 32 square miles of incorporated and unincorporated land from Waukegan to Route 45, the Gurnee department will replace an old ambulance with a brand new, high-tech one, said Chief Fred Friedl.
The new vehicle is a 2011 International Wheeled Coach Type I Medium Duty ambulance, purchased from Fire Service, Inc.
The fir department’s mechanics staff worked closely with representatives from the fire equipment company to design the customized ambulance, which will replace a 1998 ambulance from the existing fleet, Friedl said.
The rescue pumper will be used for fires and vehicle extrications and will be paramedic-equipped, he said.
Friedl said the new ambulance will help the department “to uphold the high standards we are known for” and will lead to “a direct improvement in our operation efforts.”
“Our organization is very appreciative and excited about the new ambulance,” Friedl said.
The department’s internal plan calls for such vehicles to be moved into reserve, or “second line” status, after 12 years of service, and the department would normally begins making plans to replace a vehicle during its 15th year, he said.
Normally, all of these replacements would be paid out of the village’s capital fund for the department, but its replacement schedule with the village has been on hold because of the economy, Friedl said.
Donations of such vehicles are not common, he said – hence, the department’s appreciation.
Warren-Waukegan FPD President Phillip DeRuntz will present keys to the new vehicle to the department at 10 a.m. on Friday as part of a ceremony at Gurnee Fire Station No. 2, 6581 Dada Drive.
“This is a milestone achievement and we are proud to stand alongside the Gurnee Fire Department to boost its already quality services,” DeRuntz said.
