Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) has found a practical way to keep its ambulance fleet running smoothly. By remounting ambulance boxes onto new chassis, the department has saved money, reduced waste and added reliable vehicles to its fleet in a quicker fashion.
LFES has completed its first two remounts and plans to remount five more ambulances by the end of 2026.
This approach demonstrates the City of Lethbridge’s commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility. Instead of replacing entire ambulances when their chassis wears out, LFES reuses the ambulance boxes that remain in good condition. This creates a like-new vehicle that meets all the standards needed for emergency response.
“Remounting is a win-win for the department and the community,” says Chris Tomaras, Deputy Chief of Operations for LFES. “It costs much less than buying new ambulances, reduces waste and helps us stay sustainable. This lets us keep our fleet modern and save taxpayer money.”
Buying a new ambulance costs about $282,000. Remounting saves about $88,000 per vehicle, reducing the cost by 31 per cent. The money saved can go toward other needs, like upgrading ambulance equipment.
“The savings have helped us buy specialized equipment, like power stretchers,” says Mike Humphrey, EMS Operations Officer for LFES. “These stretchers make it safer for our crews and improve the care we give to patients.”
Remounting also helps deal with supply chain delays caused by the pandemic.
“It can take up to three years to build a new ambulance, but remounting shortens that time by about a year,” says Melissa Davies, Fleet Procurement and Lease Coordinator with the City of Lethbridge. “This lets us put safe and reliable ambulances on the road much faster.”
Remounting reduces the environmental impact of building new ambulances. Manufacturing new boxes requires a lot of energy and materials, like steel, aluminum and plastic.
Reusing the ambulance box and replacing only the chassis reduces waste. This keeps materials out of landfills and supports the City of Lethbridge’s sustainability goals.
“This is about more than saving money,” says Raene Barber, Sustainability Engineer with the City of Lethbridge. “It’s about making smarter choices for the environment and the people we serve.”
Crestline, a Saskatoon company that specializes in ambulance remounting, did the remount work. Before returning the units to service, they ensured that the ambulances met all safety and regulatory standards.