CHANDLER, Ariz. – The Chandler City Council has approved the purchase of 10 ambulances for the Chandler Fire Department. The purchase is an initial step toward implementing a municipal emergency ambulance system in the future.
One ambulance is to replace a current vehicle used at special events, for training purposes and as a reserve unit when required. The funds to purchase this vehicle is in this year’s capital improvement program for fire emergency vehicle replacements. Delivery of this replacement unit is anticipated in fall 2025.
The other nine ambulances will support a future transition to a municipal emergency ambulance system. These vehicles will be purchased through an enterprise fund that will be created to support ambulance transportation services in Chandler. These vehicles would be delivered in fall 2026, which would support the launch of a municipal emergency ambulance service in January 2027.
The City Council held a work session last month to discuss transitioning to a municipal emergency ambulance system. There are a dozen jurisdictions in the Valley who have transitioned to a municipal emergency ambulance system, including every jurisdiction that surrounds Chandler.
The City Council reviewed the results of a feasibility study conducted earlier this year by the James Vincent Group that analyzed the resource needs, deployment and costs for a municipal ambulance service. The study determined that it is both operationally and financially feasible for Chandler Fire to provide ambulance services for the community.
Emergency ambulance services are currently offered by a provider embedded with the Chandler Fire Department through a contract that runs through 2026.