Unused Ambulance Vehicles are now for sale by Santa Barbara County Fire
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — After months of planning and investment, Santa Barbara County is selling off 35 unused ambulance vehicles.
The department had planned to operate full emergency medical services for the county, replacing American Medical Response (AMR). However, after controversial hearings with the County Board of Supervisors and ensuing legal action, AMR was awarded a new contract.
An analysis considering whether the fire department could cover parts of the service area, including Carpinteria and Lompoc, found that the option was not financially viable and was subsequently eliminated.
The Board of Supervisors has authorized the sale of the ambulances to help the county recoup its investment.
County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said he has already received calls from other agencies expressing interest in purchasing all of the vehicles. He hopes to recover the full amount the county paid for them.
The department has faced criticism for purchasing the vehicles before securing a firm contract. Hartwig explained, “To throw your hat in the ring, you had to make an investment. As part of the bid requirements, we needed to have ambulances.”
Andy Caldwell, with the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture, and Business (COLAB), has been outspoken about the financial implications of the plan. He said, “In my 34 years, it was the worst scandal I’ve seen in the county. This thing was a scam, and the taxpayers deserve an apology and some accountability. $11.1 million was wasted on this effort. Has anybody lost their job?”
The timing of the resale is favorable, as the ambulances are not outdated. Some even come equipped with medical gear. “They have a chassis that’s hard to find, and the units we have are very generic. There’s been a lot of interest. Once people realized we weren’t going to use them, they started reaching out,” said Hartwig.
The county had also invested time in hiring paramedics and staff for medical services.
It will continue to provide ambulance services in two locations: Isla Vista and Cuyama.
Hartwig said he is encouraged by the potential sale and is ready to move forward from the issue.
