08/31/2026
The cost of providing EMS is far more than what it takes to roll an ambulance out the door.
Every day, our volunteers prepare for emergencies we hope never happen. That means keeping our ambulances stocked with hundreds of medical supplies and pieces of equipment—many of which may never be used, but must be available. Readiness for the potential is at the core of EMS.
Take the item pictured below: a suction canister. At first glance, it looks like a simple plastic cup with measurement markings. They costs approximately $6–10 each and, like many medical supplies, it has an expiration date. We carry one on each of our rigs and the flycar and have additional in our restock to replenish the rigs if one is used.
While this is one of the less expensive and least used items we carry, the true cost goes beyond the purchase price.
There is the time spent tracking expiration dates, ordering replacements, inspecting ambulances, restocking equipment, researching vendors, and ensuring every item meets regulatory requirements. There is also the cost of replacing supplies that remain sealed and unused simply because our community was fortunate enough not to need them before they reached their expiration date.
In many cases, the total cost of purchasing, monitoring, maintaining, and eventually replacing an item can be many times greater than its original price.
Yet we gladly make that investment because when someone experiences a serious medical emergency, it is too late to wish we had the right equipment on hand. Every supply, every piece of equipment, and every hour spent preparing helps ensure our crews are ready when seconds matter most.
Preparedness may not always be visible, but it is one of the most important services Lima Ambulance volunteers provide every day.
