EMeRG is several steps closer to using an ambulance the University purchased more than a year ago.

The ambulance, which had been parked at GW’s Virginia campus since at least September 2006 while awaiting city approval for its use, has been moved to Foggy Bottom.

“The ambulance is being kept on the Foggy Bottom campus as of now. It is not operational yet,” Uuniversity Police Department Chief Dolores Stafford said in an e-mail.

Stafford said the University recently obtained a signed memorandum of understanding from the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, a necessary step in the process.

“We are now at the final stage of the process, and have submitted the paperwork to apply for a certificate of need. If we secure (that permit), EMeRG will be able to start operating the ambulance on campus,” Stafford said.

Stafford cited the new leadership of the D.C. Fire Department as being “extremely supportive of the efforts of EMeRG and UPD.”

In an e-mail, Marc Berenson, EMeRG coordinator, said the organization is looking forward to using the ambulance.

“We don’t have a timeline . but we are one step closer to making this long-awaited initiative a reality,” Stafford said.