LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Fire District recently received a $20,000 donation from Sutter Lakeside Hospital for their Ambulance Replacement Program.

This program is in place to raise funds to purchase a new ambulance unit for the fire district.

“We currently have four ambulance units in service,” said Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells. “But the issue is that each of these units has 100,000 to 200,000-plus miles on them and requires continual maintenance.”

In 2011, Lakeport Fire transported more than 1,900 patients, 573 of them to medical facilities out of Lake County for specialty medical care needs.

“Some days our transporting ambulances travel over 500 to 600 miles a day,” said Fire Captain/Paramedic Bob Ray. “The wear and tear on these vehicles has created daily maintenance work. Although the units might look shiny and new on the outside, it’s the inner mechanisms that are starting to wear out.”

The funds donated by Sutter Lakeside will help replace one of the current ambulances already in service.

Wells and Ray are looking into the possibility of purchasing what they call “retrofit” of one of the current units.

This process will save $20,000 to $30,000 and allow the district to recycle many of the parts on the unit which are still viable.

“It is the engine and mechanical parts that need replacement,” said Ray. “There is an option to purchase a new chassis and engine, and then have the ‘box’ (section where the patient sits) repaired and cleaned up. We like the idea of recycling as much as possible while saving our tax paying community members money.”

Lakeport Fire currently transports their 911 calls to Sutter Lakeside Hospital and answers all of Sutter Lakeside’s discharge patient transportation needs to local care facilities, as well as about half of the out of county transports. Both of these account for more than 1,300 transports annually.

“The hospital is excited to provide the kick-off donation for the Lakeport Fire Ambulance Replacement Program,” stated Sutter Lakeside Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Siri Nelson. “One of my own family members recently needed ambulance transportation service to the hospital, so I know firsthand the importance of receiving reliable ambulance transportation help when you need it.”

“We hope that other community groups and individuals will join us in our efforts to meet the needs of the fire district,” continued Nelson. “The entire community benefits from the services and I believe we have a responsibility to help take care of those that take care of us.”

If you would like to make a donation toward the purchase of a new ambulance for the Lakeport Fire District, please specify that the funds be attributed toward the “LFD Ambulance Replacement Program.”

Donations may be made in person or by mail to the Lakeport Fire District, 445 North Main St., Lakeport.

For more information, call Fire Chief Ken Wells at 707-263-4396.

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