AMED could use 10 new ambulances, but is actively seeking six — without success.

The ambulance authority hasn’t been able to obtain any new or used ambulances recently because of continued manufacturer production shortfalls resulting from a lack of chassis, according to Executive Director Gary Watters.

The problem stems from a global shortage of semiconductors, which led Ford Motor Co. — which provides 70 percent of the ambulance chassis in the U.S. — to shut down production at “various plants that produce the E series, T series and F series” chassis for ambulances, according to a May 2021 blog article from the American Ambulance Association.

“We’re struggling,” Watters told the board Monday. “It’s like trying to find any other vehicle — it’s crazy now.”

So far, the problem hasn’t hindered the organization from responding to emergency calls, Watters said.

But there are concerns “looking down the road,” if the vehicles continue to be unavailable — especially considering potential long delivery times, according to Watters.

He’s in touch with dealers almost daily.

The authority wasn’t able to get three ambulances it tried to obtain around the end of last year, including a chassis “remount” for an existing box type vehicle, Watters said.

Given the shortage, it may be better to develop a capital plan to purchase half dozen ambulances at once, because that will give the organization more leverage with dealers than by ordering one or two at a time, Watters said.

“Now they’re looking at who has the cash” and who can commit to a significant purchase immediately, he said.

The authority can produce the cash, but not immediate authorization, because board meetings occur only once a month, he said.

One indication of the overall vehicle problem was the board’s OK Monday to spend $37,000 on a Chevy work truck to be used as a backup for supervisors throughout the system.

The opportunity for the purchase arose too late for the item to go onto the posted meeting agenda 24 hours in advance, so the board had to make a special announcement and take a vote about the addition to comply with a recent revision of the Sunshine Law.

The chance to buy the truck at that price — the going rate could be about $30,000 higher — was too good to pass up, according to Watters.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.