OLD ORCHARD BEACH – The Old Orchard Beach Fire Department will have a new ambulance in its fleet next year.

The Fire Department responds to nearly 3,000 calls a year. The department has a fire chief, deputy fire chief, billing clerk, 16 full-time firefighters, 25 part-time emergency medical service personnel, 18 call force and 20 lifeguards. The department’s fleet consists of two fire engines, a 100-foot tower ladder truck, two ambulances, one pick-up truck, one surf rescue unit, one jet ski, two utility vehicles and one ATV.

On Tuesday, the Town Council approved a lease-purchase agreement for a 2019 Ford F550 6.7L – Diesel 4X4, Braun Chief XL Ambulance and a Life Pak 15 V4 Cardiac Monitor.

The ambulance will be purchased from Autotronics in Frenchville.

The town will pay for the ambulance and accompanying equipment through five annual payments of $59,100.

The ambulance will replace a 2010 PL Custom on a Ford E450 chaise.

The purchase of the new ambulance was accounted for when developing the 2020 fiscal year municipal budget.

“This was well-discussed during the budget process,” said Councilor Michael Tousignant.

The new ambulance is a custom manufacture and is expected to be ready between nine and 11 months, said Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.