MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services is putting creativity to work — and saving taxpayers a substantial amount of money in the process. This week, EMS Operations Support Supervisor and a long-time paramedic Scotty Blackburn welcomed one of the county’s ambulances back into service after a full remount.
A remount may sound complicated, but the idea is simple. When an ambulance is involved in a wreck, the chassis — the part with the engine, wheels, and frame — may be damaged beyond repair. But the patient compartment, the “box” where crews treat patients, is often still structurally sound. Instead of buying a completely new ambulance, the county refurbishes that existing module and places it onto a brand‑new chassis. It’s a smart way to stretch the life of equipment without sacrificing safety or reliability.
Blackburn said the approach keeps service standards high while making the most of taxpayer dollars.
A brand‑new ambulance can cost anywhere from $240,000 to $350,000, depending on features. A remount, however, typically runs between $110,000 and $180,000 — even a full overhaul rarely exceeds $200,000. That means the county often saves 40 to 60 percent compared to buying new.
The lifespan difference is surprisingly small. A new ambulance usually provides 10 to 12 years of frontline service. A remounted unit delivers 8 to 10 years, sometimes more if the original module was well maintained. Since the chassis is the part that wears out fastest, placing a solid module on a new chassis gives crews a dependable ambulance without the full price tag. Some Tennessee agencies remount the same module two or three times before retiring it.
Safety remains the top priority, and officials say a remounted ambulance can be just as safe as a new one. Modern remounts meet updated Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services – Ground Vehicle Standard, Version 2.0, which emphasize crashworthiness, structural integrity, and securing equipment so it doesn’t become a projectile during a collision. As long as the module passes inspection and receives necessary upgrades, it’s every bit as reliable as a factory‑fresh unit.
For Rutherford County, remounting isn’t just a budget decision — it’s a practical way to keep ambulances on the road, crews equipped, and residents protected. It’s thinking outside the box, quite literally, and it’s paying off.
