The Dells-Delton Emergency Medical Service Commission is preparing to purchase a new ambulance in 2010 as the organization’s entire fleet is showing its age with growing maintenance costs.

At a meeting Tuesday, the commission authorized EMS Director Janene Clark to form a committee that will study various brands of ambulances and recommend that the commission purchase the selected model next year. The committee will likely consist of a mechanic, paramedics and the assistant director, Clark said after the meeting.

The organization has five ambulances, according to Clark. One of the ambulances that has 103,765 miles on it and is a 2001 model is getting serviced right now.

Clark said it puts pressure on the organization even when just one of their ambulances is in the repair shop and out of commission.

“Right now every weekend we have three ambulances on, and we’re calling for four quite frequently,” she told the Dells Events.

The commission reviewed Clark’s report on ambulance usage at the meeting.

“I’m glad you put this together because I think what it demonstrates is the commission has not been doing a good job of budgeting for replacements,” said commission member Tom Diehl.

He said once the ambulances have 100,000 miles on them maintenance costs are high.

Clark said she expects a new ambulance to cost between $140,000 and $150,000 and to take eight months for delivery.

Diehl said the commission should be budgeting $150,000 a year for the purchase of future ambulances.

Commission member Joan Ragan asked which ambulance would be replaced with the new one.

Clark said it would either be a 1996 Horton with 87,584 miles and peeling paint or a 1998 Braun with 114,698 miles.

Clark discussed the quality of the different ambulance brands and commission member Dan Gavinski said he only knew that in the past the Dells ambulance service used Braun vehicles and had few problems with them.

Clark said she will get references for all of the ambulance manufacturers being considered which would include MedTech and Life Line.

Commission member Eric Helland recommended a preventative maintenance contract be considered.

In other business, the commission took the following action:

-- Authorized an attorney to review a contract for Dells-Delton EMS to provide paramedic intercept services with other ambulance services and have the chairman approve it.

-- Authorized an attorney to review a contract for Dells-Delton EMS to participate in mutual aid with Adams EMS/Curtis Ambulance and have the chairman approve it.

-- Voted against providing a transfer service for patients between area hospitals.

-- Heard a report on repairs to the Dells station.

-- Approved an optional AFLAC insurance program for employees.