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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The first responder ambulance in Mona is now in good condition and is, once again, ready to roll.
Juab County Commissioners, who approved repairs for the engine, learned that the engine was now in good repair.
"It is a 1995 ambulance," said John Ford, Maintenance Officer with the East Juab Ambulance Association.
Ford said that $3,000 was the quote but, when the mechanic started tearing the engine apart, it was found that all of the valves were in need of replacement. That cost another $220.
Since the motor actually must be removed from the vehicle, repaired and then placed back in the chassis, the labor required two days for just putting everything back together.
The intervals of oil changes need to be considered, said Ford.
"We have discounted using miles or months as an indicator," he said. "The best solution is to put an hour gage on the motor. We can do that," he said.
One problem is that the engine sits and idles when it is in service at the scenes of accidents and at treatment facilities.
The biggest problem with the ambulance, however, is that it is a diesel engine and all such engines are not at their best when they are called upon to start up and move quickly.
Diesel engines have twice the power of normal gasoline engines but also require more care. Proper and timely maintenance helps avoid serious performance problems and safety issues.
"What would it cost to replace it?" asked Rick Carlton, commissioner at the meeting two weeks ago.
At the time, commissioners were trying to decide whether it was cost effective to repair the engine or not.
"With grant money, I think the last we bought was $160,000," said Ford.
The price of an ambulance varies greatly depending on the features that are included. Fully stocked, a paramedic ambulance can cost upwards of that $160,000 estimate.
The ambulance had a burned valve.
"The mechanic indicated that the sooner we would do the repair the less damage there would be," said Ford. "The Mona ambulance only goes 300 to 400 miles per year."
"In your opinion, would it be better to replace the engine or the ambulance?" asked Carlton.
Ford and Seely both thought the best thing to do, at present, was to have the engine work done.
"Are we training EMTs in how to drive a diesel engine?" asked Carlton.
The best advice for getting the most out of a diesel engine is to let the engine warm up for at least 5 to 10 minutes in cold temperatures to decrease the oil density. Slow oil circulation increases pressure on a diesel engine.
"We have a class on driving safety," said Ford.
However, he said, the ambulance needed to start up on a moment's notice and run full-bore in a matter of minutes. That was the nature of emergency service. It would not be wise to wait for the engine to warm up when seconds counted in saving a person's life.
"What about the ambulance just sitting several days between uses?" asked Chad Winn, commissioner. "Someone should start it quite often and drive it around the block."
He said it was not wise to just let a diesel engine sit.
"That is done," said Ford.
"We do appreciate you and your time," said Carlton. "Do what you can to train your drivers in how to operate a diesel engine."
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