PHILLIPSTON – After a wait of more than two years, the Fire Department has received its new ambulance.

The vehicle was delivered the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 12. It replaces a 17-year-old ambulance that has needed significant repairs in recent years, including an engine rebuild that put the vehicle out of service for several months last year.

“We had to put the money into [it],” said Fire Chief Jeff Parker, “because we really didn’t know when this one was coming. There have been several mechanical issues that have been building with the other truck over the past couple of years. The general lifespan of an ambulance is 10 years or less.”

The new vehicle, consisting of a Ford chassis and ambulance body manufactured by Specialty Vehicles, was purchased for $398,000.

“The original price, because it was so long ago, was $360,000,” said Parker. “But because of the back-ordering and some problems Ford had, we had to wait almost two model years, during which all the prices of production went up above the $360,000.”

Most of the cost was covered by American Rescue Plan Act funds, supplemented by smaller amounts from other town accounts.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.