Shrum Expects To Present Board With Van Chassis Options Next Month

Ste. Genevieve County Ambulance District executive director Kendall Shrum will bring a recommendation for a new ambulance chassis to the ambulance board at its July meeting.

Shrum told the board at its monthly meeting on June 26 — rescheduled from June 19 — that he would do some research and comparisons.

Shrum indicated he is likely to lean toward a Sprinter or similar type truck.

Shrum first brought up the idea of acquiring a Sprinter-type unit at the June 2017 board meeting. These are smaller, van-like vehicles that are about half the price of full-sized ambulances and get much better gas mileage. It would be used on transfers only, to save wear and tear on the more expensive trucks.

The idea has come up two or three times since then, but has never actively been pursued.

Shrum still thinks it would be a good idea “to keep some of the mileage off other four-wheel drive vehicles that are running back and forth from the city.”

He said the district probably would not consider an actual Sprinter brand, which is made by Mercedes. Other manufacturers offer similar types, though.

“The Sprinter is a Mercedes and the problem is with that, the distance between a dealership for maintenance or working on it is going to be a problem,” Shrum said.

See complete story in the July 3 edition of the Herald.