ONLY ON 3: NHRMC buys new ambulances after airbags recalled on old ones

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Airbag recalls have been in the news for quite some time and today, we’re learning about how that impacts the vehicles that can help save your life.

“We decide to err on the side of safety for our patients, our staff, and what was best for our organization,” said Emergency Transport Services Administrator  Terry McDowell.

That caution means lots of cash for New Hanover Regional Medical Center. McDowell said 14 of their ambulances were part of the Takata airbag recall, which is about 32% of their ambulance fleet. The model year for those “sprinter” ambulances range from 2008-2015, according to the hospital.

WWAY wanted to know, how much that would cost?

“We can’t tell you the exact cost that it’s going to be now because part of that will be what we get as a trade in allowance for those vehicles once the repairs have been made to them,” McDowell said.

McDowell did say it would be more than half a million dollars. The hospital said the old ones will be fixed, then traded in. They said the CEO and executive team made the decision to replace the vehicles, which is standard procedure and didn’t require a vote from the trustees.

McDowell said there are no known airbag-related incidents in the United States, related to that model of ambulance. He added that the decision was the best for the hospital.