Frankfort Fire Trustees Approve Plan to Re-Chassis Three Ambulances, Saving Time and Costs
Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | October 21, 2025
Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has approved a multi-year agreement to upgrade three ambulances by re-chassing them rather than purchasing new vehicles. Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella told the Board the move will save significant money and dramatically reduce wait times for fleet updates.
Frankfort Fire Protection District Key Points:
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Cost Savings: Re-chassing the ambulances is estimated to cost between $224,000 and $314,000 per vehicle, compared to roughly $450,000 for a brand-new unit.
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Faster Turnaround: The process takes about six months, whereas ordering a new ambulance currently requires a wait time of two to three years.
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Three-Year Plan: The District will update one ambulance per year starting next year, covering Ambulances 71, 73, and 75.
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Worker’s Comp Renewal: The Board also approved a renewal of its worker’s compensation policy, which carries a 4% premium increase.
The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, voted unanimously to approve a strategic three-year plan to update its ambulance fleet through a re-chassing process.
During the regular meeting at Fire Station Number Seventy-One, Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella presented the proposal as a solution to both rising costs and supply chain delays affecting the emergency vehicle market. Under the agreement, the District will update the chassis on three existing ambulances—one per year—beginning next year.
Kinsella provided cost estimates for the three specific vehicles: $224,000 for Ambulance 71; $314,000 for Ambulance 73; and $289,000 for Ambulance 75. He contrasted these figures with the price of a completely new ambulance, which he stated is currently around $450,000.
Beyond the financial savings, Kinsella highlighted the time efficiency of the plan. “New ambulance… takes 2-3 years from ordering time to delivery,” Kinsella reported. In contrast, the lead time for a re-chassis project is approximately six months.
The Board—comprising President Nicholas Spano and Trustees Robert Boll, Patricia Field, Justin Lohrens, and James McGeever, Jr.—voted unanimously to approve the multi-year agreement.
In other business, the Board approved the renewal of the District’s Worker’s Compensation Policy prepared by AssuredPartners. The renewal includes a 4% cost increase. Kinsella explained that 3% of the increase is attributed to pay raises within the department, while 1% is due to the District’s claim history and experience.
“Considering the [Frankfort Fire Protection District’s] history, it is a fair renewal rate,” Kinsella said, noting that the department is working to reduce the rate going forward. Historically, he noted, worker’s compensation has been a concern due to the number of claims.
Meeting Summary and Briefs:
New Fire Engines Shipping Soon:
Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella reported that the District’s new fire engines were expected to ship the week of the meeting. This update was part of a broader review of apparatus status, which included the approval of the ambulance re-chassing plan.
Community Outreach Update:
The Board discussed the ongoing “Community Outreach Campaign” and collaboration with Discovery Works. Chief Kinsella noted that a meeting on October 15 was attended by four or five people from outside the department along with a couple of trustees. He emphasized the need for more “facilitation” members to help with engagement and branding. The next outreach meeting is scheduled for November 19.
Lateral Hiring Inquiry:
During the committee reports, Trustee Robert Boll asked if the District hires experienced firefighters as “lateral” transfers. Chief Kinsella stated that while the District had considered it in the past, they have not done so recently. He noted that the current eligibility list already contains several promising candidates.
Dispatch Center Changes:
Chief Kinsella updated the Board on changes to emergency communications. MABAS Division 19 is moving its dispatch operations from Orland Dispatch to LCC (Lincolnway Communications Center). Additionally, the Deputy Director of LCC has resigned, and the position may be filled through an internal promotion.
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