New ambulance hits deer

MARENGO — The same day Emergency Medical Services Director Adam Rabe gave The Hometown Current an interview about the county’s new ambulance, the vehicle sustained damage in a collision with a deer.

Rabe said Friday that the ambulance crew was on its way to a car-deer accident on U.S. 151 Nov. 22 when it hit a deer. A third vehicle hit a deer before the day was over, he said.

“Our Williamsburg unit was responding to a car vs. deer accident near Highway 6 and U Ave because our Marengo unit was busy on another call,” said Rabe. At about 5:55 p.m., the ambulance struck a deer on U Avenue. No injuries were reported, and the ambulance was able to continue to the original call.

The 2024 Lifeline Ambulance had only 2,600 miles on it. Damage to the right front side of the vehicle was estimated at $8,200.00.

No patients requested ambulance transport from the initial accident, and the ambulance returned to Williamsburg, said Rabe. The crew switched to a backup ambulance.

Later, EMS picked up a loaner from Legacy Emergency Vehicles in Des Moines.

“The loaner will only serve as a backup, and our 2020 Osage Ambulance will serve as our primary ambulance out of our Williamsburg Station until repairs are complete on the 2024,” Rabe said. He hoped that would be this week.

The county is repairing the windshield of another ambulance after a chip in the glass cracked the windshield when the weather turned cold.

County supervisors agreed Friday to sell used ambulance equipment at GovDeals.com. EMS replaced old CPAP machines that were 12 years old and is offering the old ones for sale.

Also for sale are laryngoscopes and 20-year-old IV pumps. EMS received Community Foundation grants to buy new laryngoscopes and to replace 20-year-old IV pumps.

The old IV pumps weren’t made to handle an unstable ride, said Rabe. The new ones are designed for EMS use.

Rabe said he’d probably list the items for sale after the holidays.