San Juan EMS recently bought a used ambulance from the fire department in Woodinville, Wa. to replace a 22 year old Ford E-350 model ambulance.

It was determined by researching industry standards, Emergency Vehicle Technicians recommendations, and operational cost vs replacement calculations that 20 years should be the maximum years to own an ambulance with rural use.

Initially the EMS was looking into buying a new ambulance for $140,000-180,000. Ben Waldron, EMS Operations Director, saw the ambulance for sale online that fit the agency’s needs and regulations in April.

Master Emergency Vehicle Mechanic Paul Spencer inspected the vehicle before EMS purchased the 2004 ambulance that has approximately 50,000 miles on it for $35,000. The ambulance will go into service after being licensed and upgraded.

The next ambulance will be replaced in 2017, a Ford E-350 from 1997.