SNEMS Ambulance - (Acadia Broadcasting/File Photo)

Thunder Bay is preparing to purchase two new ambulances.

These units are being purchased to replace ambulances lost to motor vehicle collisions last year.

“Unfortunately these were newer vehicles that were early on in that life cycle,” said the Chief of Superior North EMS, Shane Muir.

The cost of the new vehicles is expected to come in at $665,917 after tax with the funds coming out of the Insurance Reserve Fund.

SNEMS has a fleet of 44 ambulances averaging a lifespan of eight years.

They typically order four to five vehicles annually, but in 2024, this cyclical replacement was reduced to two vehicles due to increasing costs.

The price of an ambulance has increased from $220,000 in 2022 to the current price of $331,960.

According to the SNEMS, this has caused budget pressures in their Capital Reserve Fund.

Industry supply chain delays are resulting in expected delivery times of ambulances exceeding 18 months.

Moving forward to meet operational needs, SNEMS plans to request an additional five vehicles in the 2025 Capital Budget.

New ambulances are necessary to ensure service delivery is not compromised.

Demers Braun Crestline is the only certified ambulance manufacturer in Ontario, meaning there are no alternative options when it comes to pricing.

City council approved the new vehicles at Committee of the Whole and the approval is pending ratification at City Council.