Gonzales officials dedicate new and improved ambulance

Left to Right: Tracey Normand, Fire Chief; Gina Harkrider, Owner of S.E.R.V.S; Barney Arceneaux, Mayor; Kenny Matassa, Councilman

Today, the Gonzales Fire-Rescue Department dedicated a newly refurbished ambulance to the city.  The ambulance was contracted out to S.E.R.V.S., an emergency vehicle sales company based in Clinton, LA.

The old ambulance was in need of serious repairs. The box, or rear part that houses all of the medical equipment, was salvaged and refurbished. The engine, chassis, and cab were purchased brand new. The refurbished cab was then mounted to the new chassis. This is a less time-consuming task than building a brand new ambulance, as all ambulances are built from the ground up.

Medic service is an invaluable resource for any community. While we all hope to never need the service, it is reassuring to know that a fully updated ambulance is ready to go at the drop of a hat. This should bring comfort to the citizens of Gonzales.

“We are so happy to have it back for the people of Ascension Parish,” said Barney Arceneaux, Mayor of Gonzales.

Councilman Kenny Matassa also commented on the necessity of the ambulance.

“This is the most important piece of equipment our city owns. We knew it would be costly to fix, but the long response time on emergency calls made the repairs necessary.”

The ambulance has been repainted, buffed, and fully remodeled on the inside. Tracey Normand, Gonzales Fire Chief, excitedly explained the process.

“They refurbished the box. It was cleaned, freshened up, and the lighting was replaced. Any holes or rips were repaired, and they re-upholstered the vinyl seating. The old box was then mounted to a new Chevrolet cab and chassis. The process took around 6 weeks.”

The new unit will be used after it is licensed by the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Motor Vehicles. It will be housed at Station 11 in Gonzales.