A unique partnership between the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Rotary Clubs of Twentynine Palms and San Felipe, Mexico, will see a much-needed ambulance go into service in the Mexican City.
In 2021, The San Felipe Fire Department contacted San Bernardino County Fire with a request. Their old ambulance had fallen into disrepair and could no longer serve the needs of the coastal community. The request was routed to 29 Palms Rotarian, then Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle, who determined the need for San Felipe was vital for their public safety and located an older ambulance which was being taken out of service.
Tuttle discovered the process to transfer decommissioned equipment from a public entity to a foreign government was very legally complicated and would get embroiled in red tape. After conferring with County legal staff, Tuttle found the process was much easier if the actual transfer involved recognized charities.
Tuttle approached then 29 Palms Rotary President David Smith, who started the process of coordinating the transfer with the San Felipe Rotary Club. In 2022, Rotary Club President Liz Meyer took up the task of working with the County and the Clubs to get the ambulance reregistered, get title updated, and eventually take possession of the life-saving equipment. The ambulance was formally donated by the county to the 29 Palms Club, who then gave it to San Felipe Rotary for the San Felipe Fire Department.
With 2023 Rotary President Dan Mintz taking up the reins to complete the 3-year project, on August 30, 2023, now County Fire Assistant Chief Tuttle was on hand as the ambulance arrived in 29 Palms to begin its journey South. The 2001 Ford Ambulance that did most of its service in Yucca Valley with 173K miles will get a mechanical check and a fresh paint job showing the ambulance is a gift from the County and Rotary. Members of the San Felipe Club will come to 29 Palms to pick it up and then drive it to its new home. The three-year odyssey was finally over!
