Vashon Island Fire & Rescue has purchased a new ambulance, which will soon be put into service as the first-out aid car for many of the island’s medical emergencies.

Chief Charlie Krimmert said that the purchase was planned, but he noted that one of the district’s aid cars recently had a costly mechanical failure and has been “acting up.” It is 16 years old — one of two aid cars of the same age at the district. One of those vehicles will be retired once the new ambulance is in service.

The district was able to customize this vehicle for its needs. It is less than 22 feet long, to save on extra ferry fees, Krimmert said, and because aid cars are now used by emergency medical technicians, not paramedics, who respond to life-threatening-emergencies with their own vehicles, the district was able to exclude a refrigerator for medications and warming pads for IVs, among other changes. Its final price will be about $215,000.

This is the first aid car the district has purchased in five years, Krimmert noted. Because of the paramedic program changes implemented last year, this is the first aid car in many years that the King County Medic One program has not been involved with purchasing for island use. That difference is also reflected on the aid car itself, which says “Vashon Fire,” not “Medic One,” as the other aid cars say.

Last week, Krimmert said that the new car was being stocked and made ready for service, with a brief blessing and ceremony slated for immediately before it starts responding, but no date had yet been confirmed.

Looking ahead, Krimmert said he would like to see the district implement a 12-year cycle for its four aid cars and purchase a new one every three years, retiring the oldest at the same times.

The department is also in the process of purchasing a new fire engine, which will cost between $350,000 to $500,000. Fire officials began that process earlier this year after the catastrophic failure of an engine while it was being tested.

— Susan Riemer