Town Manager’s Office 230 Main Street Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251–8151 FAX (802) 257–2322
PRESS RELEASE
TO: Local Media Date: August 30, 2023
From: Town Manager’s Office
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For Immediate Release:
Two Private Ambulance Proposals Received by Town of Brattleboro
The Town of Brattleboro has been exploring its options for providing Fire–EMS services. In addition to considering a fully municipal Fire Department approach, the Town has received two proposals from private companies to compare. The Town is thankful to both companies for putting together thoughtful and thorough proposals.
American Medical Response of Springfield, MA proposed a turn–key approach that would not require any first response services from Brattleboro Fire Department staff. They would dedicate multiple ambulances to respond within the town to meet desired response times.
Rescue Inc. of Brattleboro, VT proposed an approach like the Town’s previous model that shared emergency response responsibilities with the Brattleboro Fire Department. They would rely on Brattleboro Fire Department paramedics and EMTs to respond to priority one calls, such as cardiac arrests and vehicle crashes, with the private company responding to all other types of emergency calls and transporting the priority one patients. Rescue Inc. would utilize multiple ambulances that are deployed across the fifteen towns that the company serves.
“With this response, we feel we’re well on the way to bringing the Selectboard multiple, specific EMS alternatives,” said Town Manager John Potter. “Some will be more or less costly to the taxpayer, and some will give greater or lesser ability for the Town to manage and set policy, but all of these details will be presented to the board and the public in a transparent and understandable way,” he said. The Selectboard will examine these factors at its September 5th regular meeting and decide how to move forward at its September 19th meeting.
The Town was able to put together a successful Request for Proposals process due to its strong partnership with the Golden Cross Ambulance service of Claremont, NH. The transparency and cooperation from this organization, which did not submit a proposal, allowed the Town to clearly specify its EMS needs and to understand the dynamics of emergency services in Brattleboro.
Selectboard Chair Ian Goodnow said that “I am so proud of our Brattleboro Fire Department team who has been coordinating extremely well with Golden Cross to deliver excellent EMS services through this transition.” Mr. Goodnow went on to state his confidence that “no matter what system the Selectboard chooses to go with, people will continue to receive excellent emergency medical care in Brattleboro.”
For the latest information on this project, please see the backup materials to be published for the Selectboard’s September 5th meeting, attend a public forum on September 12th at 6:00 PM at the Brooks Memorial Library, or visit the Town website at www.brattleboro.org/emsproject.
