New state-of-the-art ambulance for LaFayette
BY SAM VISE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — LaFayette’s emergency response capabilities got a major upgrade last week with the arrival of a state-of-the-art ambulance designed to bring advanced care and improved reliability to local calls.
On Wednesday, July 22, the long-awaited new addition finally arrived at the LaFayette Fire Department, bringing modern equipment and a renewed excitement to the station.
“This is something we’ve been working on for a long time,” LFD Training Captain Gabe Rumfelt said. “Any new stuff is always a morale booster, but we work with awesome men and women in the department, and they deserve the best equipment so they can do their job safely … and the citizens deserve the best from us. It means a lot that we have something safe and reliable that we can respond in — and it’s really pretty to look at. ”
Rumfelt said the new ambulance has the benefit of liquid suspension, meaning one can independently raise and lower the rear of the stretcher. This allows emergency responders to adjust ride height, giving them more freedom and a safer way to move patients.
“It keeps our personnel safe, and it keeps the patient safe as we load them,” Rumfelt said. “This ambulance is compliant with NFPA 1900, which is the newest standard that governs ambulance safety and construction. [It has] safety restraints inside and the ability to withstand 10 g-forces in the event of an accident. Obviously, that liquid suspension is a big plus. That thing rides like a Cadillac.”
Back injuries remain the No.1 injury across fire and emergency services — a risk the department hopes to reduce with this upgraded unit.
“You’re not manually lifting like the old style, so there will be fewer workers’ compensation claims from back injuries,” LFD Chief Jim Doody said. “What it does is it helps out the city and helps the citizens citywide, and cuts down maintenance costs because it’s brand new.”
For LaFayette’s first responders, reliability on the road is a critical necessity. Rumfelt said the department operates two active Advanced Life Support ambulances covering 354 square miles across Chambers County, an area packed with rural routes and unpaved backroads.
“We have a lot of dirt roads, so this ambulance has four-by-four capability,” Doody said.
The upgraded traction and brand-new mechanics come at a vital time. Given the high mileage and demanding emergency speeds required of the current fleet, Rumfelt said older units have suffered breakdowns while responding to 911 calls or transporting patients to regional hospitals.
“Having a reliable, safely built, state-of-the-art ambulance is the best possible outcome for patients,” he said. “It’s not turbocharged super speed, but it’s reliable and it’s safe, and that’s going to improve our patient outcomes and response times.”
The $390,000 unit — which reaches roughly $470,000 when fully equipped with its $80,000 power stretcher system — was primarily funded through a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant administered by FEMA, along with matching local funds provided by the city.
Though ordered in late 2023, supply chain and manufacturing delays meant a nearly two-year wait before delivery.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Doody said.
The new unit officially received state approval and went into service at 2 p.m. CT on July 22 following hands-on training for department personnel. While the new arrival brings the department’s reserve fleet up to two backup units, Doody said the push to modernize LaFayette’s equipment is far from over.
“We still have a ways to go,” he said. “We have three [older units] that need to be replaced. One is better than none, but it really helps us out in the long run, and I think it’ll be a huge benefit.”
Rumfelt expressed gratitude for the local municipal leaders, grant consultant Jeff Monroe of JMCM Consultants, vendor Southern Emergency Consultants and Ferno representative Alex Lister, who helped bring the project to fruition.
Most of all, both Rumfelt and Doody view the vehicle as a shared achievement for the entire community.
“We’re excited to let the citizens see it, and we invite them to come up [to the station] and see it because it’s their truck — it’s not ours,” Rumfelt said. “We’re just taking care of it for them.”
Doody agreed, noting that beyond the upgraded equipment, the arrival delivers something just as essential to the team on duty: confidence.
“The truck is beautiful,” Doody said. “It looks fantastic. The people are excited about it. It was a good morale booster for the staff.”
