Dubuque Fire Department Upgrades Third Ambulance with Brand New Vehicle

OCTOBER 27, 2023

A brand new ambulance was recently placed into service by the Dubuque Fire Department, replacing an older model which was purchased when the department added a third ambulance last year. The new ambulance will be housed at Fire Station #4, 1697 University Ave. It joins two others which are stationed at Fire Headquarters, 11 W. 9th St., and Fire Station #2, John F. Kennedy Road. 

“The fire department is excited to be bringing this new ambulance into our fleet,” says fire chief Amy Scheller. “With the city’s support, we have implemented a staggered approach to our replacement strategy based on the age and condition of our vehicles.” 

The ambulance features a door-forward design that allows entry to the patient area from the front part of the compartment, rather than the middle. This design more efficiently utilizes the space in the ambulance, making it seem less cramped. This is the first DFD ambulance to utilize this configuration, which is gaining popularity across the country.  

“We’ve placed an emphasis on upgrades in configuration and design to enhance safety and prioritize efficiencies for our team members,” Scheller adds. “We are both excited and thankful to have this new resource.” 

The department increased its number of ambulances to three in April 2022. The new ambulance replaces a used vehicle that was purchased to fill an immediate need for the department, as newer units were expected to take 2-3 years to be built and delivered. That vehicle had been used in another community for nearly a dozen years before being purchased by DFD. It will now be transitioned into the department’s vehicle reserve. 

The Dubuque Fire Department currently estimates that approximately 80% of its calls for service are for emergency medical services. The third ambulance is expected to help the department advance towards its goal of responding to nearly all of its calls within six minutes. 

The Dubuque Fire Department has ordered two additional new ambulance units that it hopes to receive next spring. 

“We understand how fortunate we are to be adding these new vehicles, considering the current delays in construction and delivery,” Scheller says. “These delays create challenges in maintaining what would be considered a normal replacement schedule.” 

In addition to the new ambulances, the department also added a new hazardous materials (hazmat) mobile command vehicle earlier this year. Its primary use is responding to, controlling, and mitigating hazardous materials incidents. The unit is equipped with a variety of equipment used to handle such situations. The vehicle also offers mobile command functionality, in case of a large-scale, multi-jurisdictional event. 

The three active ambulances and hazmat mobile command vehicle are a part of the nearly thirty vehicles that make up the full Dubuque Fire Department vehicle fleet. 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
ASchelle@cityofdubuque.org, (563) 589-4160