A regional ambulance service might be the way to go, town officials from Northfield and Bernardston have discussed.
Technically, a regional service would come down to Northfield EMS expanding to become the primary service provider for Bernardston. The revenue from the extra call volume would enable Northfield EMS to provide more reliable service to both towns than what it can presently do for just Northfield, EMS Chief Mark Fortier says.
The two towns’ selectboards liked that idea when they talked about it this week with Fortier and Bernardston Fire Chief Pete Shedd, who coordinates Bernardston’s ambulance services. A “trial period” was tentatively agreed on.
Bernardston currently uses Medcare as its primary ambulance provider. Lately, service has gone downhill, Shedd said, with Medcare sometimes sending crews from Springfield who need directions to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. About half of Bernardston’s calls end up being answered by Northfield EMS, Shedd said.