There’s a new blue and white diesel in town and it's beginning to make its presence known.

It’s the Ada Liberty Township new 2020 EMS ambulance, and it replaces a 2010 International that has served the community very well for the past decade, according to Tom Miller, EMS chief.

Built on a Ford chassis, the new ambulance was customer built to Ada EMS specifications by Braun Custom Ambulances of Van Wert.

The vehicle arrived in Ada near the end of September and after a one to two week equipment transfer it began service in early October.

The 2020 ambulance, identified as 05A, works alongside a 2014 Ford F550. “We rotate using our vehicles every four-to-six weeks,” said Miller, adding that the new ambulance is currently the first on call.

Miller said that the new ambulance is similar to the 2010 in the equipment it carries. 

“It was self-designed to fit our specific needs,” he said, adding that each ambulance is built based on the specs required by the department ordering it.

Ada-Liberty EMS covers a wide area including Ada village, Liberty Township and a section of Orange Township, three miles into Hancock County to the north.

The covid-19 business shutdown slowed down the arrival of the ambulance. The squad originally expected a one-year wait from the initial order. But the July delivery date turned into September.

Miller said he welcomes anyone in the community interested in joining the EMS, which has EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs and paramedics on its staff. Currently two persons are in school in anticipation to join the local EMS.