Illinois Valley Times

The City of Ottawa has placed orders for new emergency-response vehicles even though current units won't need to be replaced for a few years.

The request to purchase two 2025 Warrior ambulances was approved at the Dec. 6 city council meeting, for "an amount not to exceed $348,181 per ambulance," the video shows. The costs per ambulance were based on the higher-priced vehicle, so final costs for the ambulances could be lower.

Commissioner James Less explained the order was being placed "at this time due to the extensive wait times on delivery." He said the first ambulance is expected to be delivered in 2024 and the second in 2025.

"Basically, what we're doing is getting on a waiting list," Less said at the meeting.

Approval was given to place on public inspection the purchase agreement between the City of Ottawa and McQueen Emergency for a new fire truck for $948,000.

Less said that as with the current ambulances, "our current apparatus is in functional condition, it's ok" but that a new one would be needed "in the next few years."

Manufacturers estimate equipment delivery to take from 39 to 44 months, Lee said, "so again, we're on a waiting list."

"Hopefully those delivery times aren't extended in the future," Less said, "because about that time, we will be needing a new engine."