A fresh coat of paint hits new Ashland Police Division cruisers, new EMS vehicle

ASHLAND – The city now has some shiny new emergency vehicles in the police and fire departments.

Some Ashland Police Division cruisers have received new decals and the department now has three new cruisers after City Council passed an ordinance several months ago allowing for the purchase of the 2021 Ford Explorers.

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The newly decaled, one-color design vehicles recently rolled into APD's garage. The minimalist color scheme saved the department roughly $140. The cost is less due to only using gray instead of blue and silver, police Chief David Lay explained.

"We wanted something more modern and sleek," Lay said.

The new cruisers are awaiting light bars and interior equipment, estimated to cost $20,000 per car, before they can take to the city streets.

With the three new vehicles the department now has 18 police cruisers.

The ordinance was passed in September with an estimated cost of $97,935 for the three vehicles, according to council records. The price tag did not include equipment costs.

Earlier this year, council passed another ordinance for the purchase of a 2018 Toyota Tacoma pickup for police at an estimated cost of $24,971, which included trading in a 2010 Buick Lacrosse, a 2011 Mercedes-Benz truck and a 2006 Buick Lucerne.

Both of these purchases were done via the police vehicle fund.

Ashland Fire Department receives new EMS vehicle

After waiting 16 months since the purchase date, the Ashland Fire Department has received its new ambulance.

The $250,000 vehicle is funded through a contract agreement between the fire department and nearby townships that Ashland assists, fire Chief Rick Anderson said.

The recently constructed Fire Station No. 2 has reduced wait times to those townships, according to Ashland Fire Department's website.

The majority of the ambulance cost comes from the supplies inside the vehicle, Anderson said.

The new ambulance is replacing an old one that was purchased in 2013, now rife with mechanical issues, Anderson said. The city will sell the old ambulance via an online auction, though the auction date isn't finalized.

The 16-month wait time is due to supply chain issues many businesses have been dealing with.

Reach Grant at gritchey@gannett.com

On Twitter: @ritchey_grant

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland receives new police cruisers and decals, new EMS vehicle