Woolwich EMS has a new ambulance. Julia Gillespie, acting EMS director, finalized the $27,000 purchase with Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue.

Gillespie, along with Danny Munsey and his wife Jennifer, picked up the 2004 Ford TraumaHawk on Saturday morning, Sept. 19.

“It handles really well, it’s quiet and very smooth riding,” Munsey said. He drove the ambulance from the Harpswell Neck fire station to its new home at the Woolwich municipal building. The new vehicle, which is powered by a 450 diesel engine, has been driven just 33,000 miles.

Woolwich’s current ambulance, also a Ford 450 diesel, still has a lot of life left. It was recertified by the state two weeks ago. But with over 122,000 miles on it, the crew knew sooner or later they’d be faced with having to replace it with a newer vehicle. Gillespie said word got around the department might be looking for an ambulance. One was available and pretty close to home, too.

Gillespie said Mike Demers, a former Woolwich EMT who works at Togus Fire and Rescue, told her he knew of a surplus ambulance for sale. He put Gillespie in touch with Frank True, fire chief of Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue. Not long after Gillespie spoke with True, she test drove the ambulance and thought it was perfect for Woolwich’s needs. She met with the Woolwich Board of Selectmen on Sept. 8 and they authorized her to spend up to $30,000 for the ambulance’s purchase.   

The new ambulance has been well cared for and is in fine condition. It’s equipped with newer features the current ambulance doesn’t have, including a handy backup mirror that automatically activates when the vehicle is put in reverse. The monitor is located above the dash and lets the driver clearly see what’s behind him or her.

“For us that’s huge because we often find ourselves driving up a long driveway on a call and then discovering there’s no place to turn the ambulance around, which means the driver has to back all the way out,” Gillespie said. “Having the rear camera will make doing this easier and safer.”

Harpswell Fire & Rescue included a Stryker Power Cot in the sale that will make it easier and safer to load a patient into and out of the ambulance. The cot is hydraulically powered and rated for 700 pounds. With the push of a button it can be raised or lowered to the desired height.

“This will really make it a lot easier on the EMT’s back,” Gillespie said.

Gillespie has been an EMS professional for 25 years, serving the last eight years in Woolwich. She works full-time in the office of the state’s Chief Medical Examiner as a Medicolegal Death Investigator. She is also a former police officer with the Brunswick Police Department.

Along with the Munseys, who are both drivers, Woolwich EMS has between 15 and 20 active members; seven to 10 are certified EMTs. The Munseys were the first married couple to complete Fire 1 and 2 training at the academy.

“Woolwich EMS is licensed to transport at the Paramedic level,” Gillespie said. The service averages about 250 calls annually. They’ve logged 180 calls so far this year. The town also has a contract with North East Mobile Health Services in order to provide the town with 24/7 ambulance coverage.

Gillespie said Woolwich EMS is always looking for volunteers to join the department. A good way to learn more about the service is to attend the annual open house, which will be held this year on Oct. 14 at the fire station. That will also be a good time for folks to see the new ambulance.

Gillespie and the crew hope to have the new ambulance ready for its state inspection within two weeks. It will be put into service after that. The first order of business will be getting it relettered.