Robert Oeser sent a notice to the Town of Brattleboro on Friday. The Town has 10 calendar days to respond publicly..
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“To: The Brattleboro Selectboard
Ian Goodnow, Chair
Daniel Quipp, Vice-Chair
Jessica Gelter, Clerk
When I asked him about his goals back on Jan 20, Town Manager Yoshi Manale spoke of creating more open spaces downtown, being open and transparent, and being flexible while solving problems. No mention of wanting to alter EMS services. Yet the impression one might get from official communications is that a new town manager came to town, took aim at EMS, and is walking away.
But that’s not the full story. First off, the Brattleboro Selectboard told him to take on Rescue.
Both the current and former Chair of the Brattleboro Selectboard have confirmed that Town Manager Manale was not acting solo when it came to Rescue Inc actions and decisions.
It is sometimes helpful to look at information in a timeline format. Thanks to everyone who assisted in piecing this together this list of Brattleboro Fire, Rescue, and EMS items from the past year or so.**
Please note any additions or corrections you feel would clarify in the comments if you’d like. This is an in-progress project and will likely be updated. I’ll note any edits to the main timeline list in the comments.
2021
March 22 – Elizabeth McLoughlin becomes Chair of the Selectboard.
It is important that Selectboard members hear from Brattleboro residents on how our Emergency Medical Response service to the town will work, going forward.
A change to the delivery of EMS was agreed to by the Selectboard at the April 19 meeting. This week’s board meeting will cover a proposal for a feasibility study, to include EMS. See item 8 (B) on the attached agenda for this Tuesday, May 17 at 6:15pm. In-person and remote joining details are below.
A general observation –
When the $25,000 for the Fire Department strategic plan was approved in the budget at RTM on March 19 of this year, there was no public indication that Rescue Inc would no longer be providing EMS services. Community input absolutely needs to be a part of any strategic plan for this service, following the example of other towns. Therefore, in this proposed feasibility study, “all options should be on the table.”
The Brattleboro Selectboard will award a contract to a web developer for the redesign of the Town website at their next regular meeting. They’ll also approve of a contract for an EMS feasibility study.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Brattleboro Fire Department and Golden Cross will host a community forum on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 6:00pm in the Second Floor Meeting Room at the Central Fire Station at 103 Elliot Street and over Zoom.
The Brattleboro Fire Department is proud to announce that we have been named the recipient of the 2018 First Responder Service of the Year Award by the Vermont Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services.
The criteria for this award reads; “This award is intended to recognize Vermont based and licensed EMS organizations for their excellence in operations and service to their communities.
