In a few years, the village of McCook will have two practically new ambulances.
The village board unanimously approved a purchase agreement on Oct. 7 with MacQueen Equipment LLC, to buy a new ambulance.
The price is yet to be determined.
“This ambulance won’t be here until 2026. At that time, we’ll pay for it. All this motion does is authorize us to purchase it,” Mayor Terrance Carr said.
When it arrives, it will replace a now 23-year-old ambulance. It will join a newer ambulance used by the fire department.
That means that in 2026 the village will have in service a new ambulance and one that is just four years old, Carr said.
Why does McCook, a village of fewer than 300 residents, need two ambulances?
As Carr noted, the village’s population grows well over 15,000 each day.
That’s due to the large influx of workers at various companies in the industrial park west of First Avenue and other sites around the village.
Fire Chief David DeLeshe said it will be the first time the McCook Fire Department has two Advanced Life Support ambulances on duty at the same time.
“Now, we’re getting a true reserve,” DeLeshe said.