It is not yet clear how many of the 60 new Accident and Emergency vehicles which will be purchased for Northern Ireland will be dispatched to Fermanagh.
The Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey made the announcement of the £17million capital investment in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) recently, but as of yet the Department of Health are unable to provide more specific details about where the ambulances will serve.
In addition, a further 60 non-emergency vehicles and 26 Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) are planned over the same period.
Mr McGimpsey explained that the new vehicles will be used to replace older ambulances and, thanks to a multi-million investment over the next 10 years, will allow the ambulance service to move to a running replacement programme which, in time, will ensure no vehicle will be more than five years old.
Mr McGimpsey went on: "A world-class health service needs a modern and responsive emergency service. For too many years, the NIAS has suffered from a lack of investment but now will benefit from a major funding boost.
"I plan to invest a further £2.5million over the next three years which is in addition to the £14.5million already allocated to fleet and equipment replacement as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review," he explained.
"I also plan to invest some £100million over the next 10 years in fleet, estate and vital equipment, such as defibrillators.
This funding is as a result of the review of capital priorities which I commissioned to help inform me on the longer-term investment required in the health and social care and public safety infrastructure."
The Minister said he was aware of recent concerns over the age and condition of the NIAS fleet.
"This is without doubt the largest investment in the history of the NIAS. It will help ensure that the public has confidence in the emergency services and, in particular, that ambulance crews are able to carry out their life-saving working in vehicles which are roadworthy, reliable and modern."
A further £12million revenue funding will be allocated over the next three years to help the NIAS modernise, to respond more quickly to emergency calls and help provide life saving services to patients who need it.
Mr McGimpsey concluded: "Just as every other health trust, the NIAS has to achieve 3% efficiency savings over the next three years.
"I want to ensure that the savings they make translate into a modern and responsive service.
During a recent Assembly debate, the local SDLP Assembly Member Tommy Gallagher welcomed new investment in the ambulance service, but questioned recent cuts in manpower announced by NI Ambulance Service (NIAS).
"The replacement of older ambulance vehicles", he said, " will improve public confidence in the service.
But, the matter of an air ambulance has also to be kept very firmly on the agenda to cover especially the rural West and other remote locations.
As this service is best developed through north south co-operation, I have asked the Minister to raise it at North South Ministerial meetings."
