Fleet Maintenance
The Fleet Maintenance Department has a total of six employees, consisting of a fleet manager, three mechanics, and one mechanic's helper. The secretary provides administrative support to the Logistics Department as well as the Fleet Department.
The maintenance performed in the Fleet Department is bumper-to-bumper in-house repair, excluding front-end alignments and major paint and bodywork. We perform aircraft style preventative maintenance, replacing some parts, (based on mileage), before breakage. Vehicles are schedule for service very 2,500 miles. The maintenance program consists of A-F services, which increases in intensity.
MCHD operates a fleet of 26 Frazer ambulances. In addition, MCHD has a variety of vehicles to support essential operations.
The mission of the Fleet Department is to minimize critical failures of MCHD vehicles, in a safe OSHA compliant environment.
The Fleet Manager is responsible for coordinating efforts to secure and maintain vehicles in a serviceable condition at all times. He implements and coordinates the preventive maintenance program for the fleet. The maintenance of the purchasing and inventory control system is another responsibility. He assures the repairs from an accident are completed in a cost effective and timely manner. The Fleet Manager coordinates the on-call system and the efforts of the Fleet Management Team. He will coordinate and may delegate the replacement and remount of fleet vehicles. Upon request, the fleet manager will assist with drafts of bid specifications and reports. He also continues to 'spin a wrench' as needed.
The Fleet Manager holds several certifications with the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission: Design and Performance Standards and Preventive Maintenance of Ambulances, Ambulance Electrical Systems, Ambulance Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems, and Ambulance Body and Chassis.
He also holds many competencies in Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification as an Advanced Level Specialist, Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician, and Master Automobile Technician. From the Ford Customer Service Division he has successfully completed a Fleet Electrical Systems course and a Fleet 7.3L DIT course.
The next level, Mechanic III, utilizes scan tools and experience to diagnose problems on ambulances and support vehicles. May supervise or complete preventive maintenance and repairs as needed. He will replace several items on the fleet vehicles including water pumps, alternators, transmissions, drive shaft, starters, generators, power steering pumps, shock absorbers, belts, hoses, and filters. He may install or supervise the repair of emergency lights, sirens, ignition system, instrument panel and radio accessories. The Mechanic III maintains the fleet service records, work orders, and part orders and advises Fleet Manager of inventory levels. He completes road tests to determine repair success.
