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With a cost of about $360,000 the Dearborn Police and Fire Departments will soon purchase a new emergency response vehicle to replace a nearly 40 year old truck.

A Community Development Block Grant will cover about $300,000 of the funds, with the rest coming from the fleet fund.

The truck, a Lenco MedCat MedEvac Tactical Emergency Support Emergency Response Vehicle, can transport up to four patients at a time, and can be used in many special needs circumstances, including floods and active shooter emergencies.

The life-span of the truck is expected to be at least 20 years.

The trucks are equipped with windows that can withstand bullets or other projectiles traveling up to 100 miles per hour, extra ground clearance with upgraded suspension and off-road run flat tires.

It sits on a Ford F-550 chassis and has a large electric winch with synthetic rope.

The truck can drive through up to 40 inches of water, in 230+ mph winds, up steep inclines and slopes and can withstand 40,000 pounds of impact before being crushed.

Recently the Fire Department also asked the Council to approve the purchase of a $1.1 million Quint truck, to be placed in station 3 in the city’s south end.

The new truck, which will be ready in 18-20 months, will replace a similar truck purchased in 2013.

A Quint is a fire apparatus that serves the dual purpose of an engine and a ladder truck. The term “quint” is derived from the five functions it provides:

•Pump •Water Tank •Fire Hose •Aerial Device •Ground Ladders “Quints have been used in many departments gaining in popularity since the 1990s,” Murray said. “Quints are an alternative to having to purchase a separate fire engine and ladder truck. As a result there is a significant savings to the City.”

Murray said the new truck will “add depth” to the department’s fleet.

“It will allow firefighters to perform rapid accession to higher floors and perform rescue when needed,” he said.

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