The committee voted to forward two ordinances to Council authorizing the city to add six chase vehicles to its existing lease arrangement with the Richmond Ambulance Authority and to increase capital project revenues by $977,721 to purchase the vehicles.

Michael Lynn, deputy finance director, said the city has an existing purchase-and-lease-back arrangement with the Richmond Ambulance Authority for ambulances and the two papers add chase vehicles to that lease and provide short-term financing to purchase them. Chip Decker, CEO of the Richmond Ambulance Authority, described chase vehicles as SUV-type quick-response units that can be staffed with a paramedic or EMT and that can make an ALS-level response when needed; Decker said up-fitting and medical equipment are primary cost drivers.

Committee members asked why the vehicles are purchased in a single batch, whether the model is standard among comparable services, and how the new vehicles would fit in the Authority’s posting plan. Decker said the approach is intended to get the program started, that having identical builds eases operations and that ambulance purchases and replacements typically follow a multi-year rotation.

A public hearing was held with no speakers. The committee recorded Miss Lynch, Vice Chair Jones and Chair Robertson voting aye to forward the ordinances to council with a recommendation to approve.