The council approved buying four replacement ambulances for $1,703,420, by a 7–0 vote.
Approved the purchase of four Type 1 ambulances from Foster Coach Sales, Inc. for $1,703,420. Moved by Gatto, seconded by Voss. Passed 7–0; no members voted no.
How each member voted
| Official | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Boesen | Mayor | Yes |
| Carl Voss | At-large | Yes |
| Mike Simonson | At-large | Yes |
| Rob X. Barron | Ward 1 | Yes |
| Linda Westergaard | Ward 2 | Yes |
| Josh Mandelbaum | Ward 3 | Yes |
| Joe Gatto | Ward 4 | Yes |
More from the record
The Fire Chief asked to buy four Type 1 replacement ambulances, at $425,855 each, from Foster Coach Sales, Inc., the local vendor for REV Group (Horton Emergency Vehicles), through a competitively bid Sourcewell cooperative contract. Delivery is expected to take about three years, so the ambulances are being bought out of the FY2029 and FY2030 capital budgets. Power loads and power cots will be bought separately later. In March 2025 the council approved seven ambulances from the same vendor for $3,011,372. It was part of the consent agenda. Council Communication, item 28 (packet pages 327–328) (saved copy)
The alternative
No other options were presented in the record.
Health and safety
- Who
- People served by Des Moines Fire Department ambulances
- How
- Four replacement ambulances. Which units they replace and response-time effects: Not in the record.
- When
- Delivery expected about three years after ordering
- Source
- Council Communication, item 28 (saved copy)
Money
- Who
- City capital budget (Fire Equipment Acquisition, GEMT funds)
- How
- $1,703,420 ($425,855 per ambulance); power loads and cots are a separate, later purchase with cost Not in the record
- When
- FY2029 and FY2030 capital budgets
- Source
- Council Communication, item 28 (saved copy)
Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 28 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Oct 19, 2026 meeting, p. 6 (roll call 26-1202) (saved copy) · Council Communication, item 28 (packet pages 327–328) (saved copy)