The Cities of Blue Ash, Loveland, Sharonville, Mason and
Symmes Township joined forces to purchase replacement ambulances for each
community. Through their combined
organization known as the Northeast Fire Collaborative (NEFC) these communities
look for ways to improve service, enhance training and save tax dollars on
group purchasing.
Together these five communities developed a single ambulance
specification that provides for commonality of patient compartment
configuration. “This type cooperation allows for maximum savings through multi-unit
discounts” stated acting Fire Chief Bryan Brumagen, City of Mason Fire
Department.
“The NEFC has been cooperating now for 10 years” stated Fire
Chief Rick Brown with the City of Blue Ash Fire Department. “Just last year the
group came together for the construction of a Fire Training Tower that is
shared by the NEFC as well as other regional partners.”
The ambulances that were purchased went in service just this
past month. “These units replace aging equipment and were part of each
community’s capital fleet replacement schedule” stated Fire Chief Otto Huber with
the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department.
“Our collaborative looks for ways to apply for grants to
improve service” stated Fire Chief Kirk Mousa of the City of Sharonville Fire
Department. “Recently we received a regional grant for new self-contained
breathing apparatus. This grant was worth nearly eight hundred thousand
dollars.”
“The fire collaborative that was started in 2008, following
the great recession, has proved to be a worthy endeavor for our communities. It
improves service for all our communities and provides for improved training and
equipment for our firefighters” stated Dave Kennedy, City Manager for the City
of Loveland.
Please contact Chief Otto Huber, Loveland Symmes Fire Dept
for further information at 513-583-3001 or ohuber@lsfd.org