Central Islip-Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance Corps turns old vehicles into new equipment through resale platform
The department recently sold two command units for nearly $60,000.
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The Central Islip-Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance Corps is finding a new way to stretch its budget.
The corps is selling used emergency vehicles and reinvesting the money into lifesaving equipment. Department leaders say the demand for service is high, putting constant strain on their fleet.
“We average just under 8,000 calls a year, so we have a lot of wear and tear on our ambulances,” said Chief of Department Jennifer Falcone. “Garage is really good for us because we were able to resell our vehicles and we use that money to purchase new equipment.”
The department recently sold two command units for nearly $60,000 using Garage, an online marketplace designed specifically for fire and EMS agencies to buy and sell used apparatus and equipment.
The platform connects departments across the country, helping them avoid traditional auctions or scrap sales that often bring in far less money. Instead, agencies can sell directly to other departments in need, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
Garage CEO and co-founder Martin Hunt says several Long Island departments, including those in South Farmingdale, Rocky Point, Montauk, Central Islip-Hauppauge, Cedarhurst, Shoreham and Deer Park, have already used the website.
