Cox to spend $2.5M to convert ambulance fleet

CoxHealth plans to spend $2.5 million to upgrade its ambulance fleet to safer, more fuel-efficient models, according to a July 12 news release from the nonprofit health system.

The Springfield health care provider purchased two Mercedes Mirage EX Sprinter ambulances in June from Demers Ambulances in Montreal for $91,999 apiece, bringing the total fleet of ambulances at CoxHealth in Greene County to 27.

CoxHealth plans to replace the other 25 ambulances in its fleet as models reach their life expectancy, for a projected additional cost of $2.3 million, according to data in the release.

The Sprinter ambulance was chosen because the model provides new safety features for paramedics and emergency medical technicians, said Mark Alexander, CoxHealth director of pre-hospital services, in the release.

“We don’t let paramedics and EMTs go into a scene that’s not safe, that hasn’t first been secured,” Alexander said. “And then we put them in the back of an ambulance where they’re not secure and can be easily harmed during an accident. These ambulances change that.”

The Mercedes ambulances feature four-point harnesses designed to strap emergency responders into the rear of the ambulance while its moving to restrain staffers in case of an accident. The new models also feature backup cameras with microphones and replicated warning lights to make the ambulance more visible from the rear when ambulance doors are open.

The two newly purchased models are projected to save CoxHealth an estimated $7,000 per year on fuel costs, according to the release.

The Sprinter ambulances have a life expectancy of six to eight years, or 300,000 miles, and will be based in Greene County. CoxHealth also maintains and manages an additional 24 ambulances in the Ozarks region that are registered to individual ambulance district boards, the release said.

CoxHealth officials could not be reached for comment by deadline.