McLean fire department pursues loan to help pay for new ambulance

TysonsReporter.com August 7, 2023 at 3:03pm

McLean Volunteer Fire Department ambulance (courtesy MVFD) — The McLean Volunteer Fire Department is planning to replace one of its ambulances (courtesy MVFD)

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) is a step closer to obtaining a brand-new ambulance.

The department got the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ unanimous approval on July 25 to borrow up to $250,000 from a private lender to buy fire and rescue equipment.

Federal tax law allows volunteer fire departments to obtain loans for fire and rescue equipment “at a lower tax-exempt interest rate” if the financing is approved by “the elected body of the locality” served by the department, county staff said in the board meeting agenda.

The loan will supplement a $13,000 donation that the MVFD got in June from the Woman’s Club of McLean, a charitable group that organized a Kitchen and Garden Tour this spring as a fundraiser for the department.

The department also raised funds through Christmas ornament sales and other activities to pay for the new ambulance, which will cost a total of $335,000.

MVFD currently has two ambulances. Department officials previously told FFXnow that the new “state-of-the-art” vehicle will have a power load cot system and other upgrades that will make it safer and easier to use for paramedics.

The ambulance is expected to arrive late this summer or early fall, MVFD President Patricia Moynihan said.

After acquiring the ambulance, the department hopes to get a new fire engine. The approximately $500,000 cost will be split between MVFD and the county.