Rankin Inlet (Apr 16/03) - Rankin Inlet has a critical emergency vehicle back in service this week.

The community was left without its only ambulance for the better part of two weeks after someone walked into fire station and drove away with the vehicle.

Rankin Inlet Fire Chief Rick Penner was left to ponder what went through the mind(s) of those responsible for leaving the community without its ambulance service for two weeks after the emergency vehicle was stolen and left near Apache Pass. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The ambulance was taken on a joy ride out of town until the driver got it stuck near Apache Pass.

The transmission was burned out by the thief's frantic efforts to free the vehicle.

Damage is estimated at $4,000 to $5,000.

The vehicle was missing for about two days before the theft was discovered.

The crime is still under investigation by the local RCMP.

Rankin Inlet fire Chief Rick Penner says there were no signs of forced entry into the station where the ambulance is kept.

It is not known if the door to the station was accidentally left open, or if the perpetrator(s) had a key to the building.

Penner says a truck had to be used to transport a patient to the health centre shortly after the ambulance was put out of service.

"We had choice but to use the back of the truck," says Penner.

"We found the ambulance earlier in the day and the call came in that night.

"When push comes to shove, you do what you can."

The community's home-care van had to be pressed into service as a transport vehicle until the ambulance was back on the road.

Penner says whomever committed the crime gave no thought to what they were doing, and the impact their actions may have on the community.

"This person or persons obviously gave no thought to, or didn't care about, leaving the community at a very large risk without having its ambulance.

"The action was also disrespectful, not only to the community, but to the department as well."

Penner says it's still not clear if the hamlet will be left on the hook to pay for the repairs to the ambulance.

"It really depends on the total amount of damage because insurance companies have some rather large deductibles these days.

"We still haven't completely decided what direction we're going to take as far as the cost of the repairs are concerned."