Consider request from Fire & Emergency Services to utilize Ten-8 Fire & Safety, the authorized distributor of Osage Ambulances in the state of Georgia, to remount an existing Osage Ambulance.  This request includes trading in a Ford-450 chassis for a $6,000 credit and a 2015 reserve ambulance for a $10,000 credit towards the remount, for a total remount cost of $268,968.00.  In addition, this request includes a budget amendment to allocate insurance funds received to offset a portion of the remount cost. 

In July 2026, Squad 5 was involved in a not-at-fault accident while responding with lights and sirens to a call.  As a result, the squad was declared a total loss by the County insurance carrier.  Risk Management negotiated a settlement of $99,703 less the County's $10,000 deductible that will later be reimbursed.  Due to a replacement ambulance costing approximately $380,000.00, Fire & ES recommends remounting an existing Osage ambulance module onto a new chassis.  The remount process includes removing the existing ambulance box from its current F-450 chassis, striping it down and replacing it to a brand-new status, and then remounting it on a new, F-550 chassis. 

Because extensive damage was done to the wrecked ambulance, Fire & ES will be taking a reserve ambulance out-of-service for the remount.  The ambulance being sent for the remount is on a F-450 chassis.  Historically, Fire & ES has had the most repair costs with the F-450 chassis and has transitioned to F-550 chassis as they are better designated to carry the weight of the box.  The ambulance being remounted is the last remaining F-450 chassis in the fleet.  

As part of the remount, Ten-8 will provide a $6,000 credit for the old chassis.  Additionally, Ten-8 has offered $10,000 for the trade-in of a 2015 squad that was originally slated for surplus at the County auction this spring. 

The difference between the remount and the insurance settlement is $179,265.00 and will come from SPLOST 2024.  Fire & ES had to cancel the power load systems in the remaining squads on order to fund the replacement of the wrecked ambulance.      

Included in this request is the following: 

- Approval to utilize Ten-8 for the remount of an existing ambulance (quote and single source attached)

- Approval to trade in a Ford F-450 chassis (surplus form attached)

- Approval to trade in a 2015 ambulance that was slated for surplus at the next County auction (surplus form attached)

- Approval of a budget amendment in the amount of $89,703.00 to reallocate insurance settlement funds to an expense account for the remount 

Fire & ES is also pursuing a loss of use claim from the at-fault driver's insurance.  If funds are received, a separate budget amendment will be brought before the Board to reimburse SPLOST 2024.  

This is being considered a single source purchase to ensure the remount is completed by the original manufacturer.  Typical lead times for new builds and remounts are approximately 3 years, depending on the manufacturer.  Ten-8 has agreed to open a February 2027 build spot for the remount.  This limits the amount of time Fire & ES has to operate with a reduced fleet.