Mayor Hawke forms commission to look at possibility of starting city-run ambulance service; may create revenue

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — A recent committee formed to review the potential for a city-run ambulance service may create a new outlet of revenue for the city, according to Mayor Mark P. Hawke. According to Mr. Hawke, the eight-member committee includes city councilors Neil Janssens; Alice Anderson and Josh Cormier; Fire Capt. Robert Newton, Purchasing Agent Mary Delaney; City Auditor Calvin Brooks; resident Thomas Brodeur and Scott Janssens, son of the city councilor. Although the committee is considering implementing a city-run ambulance service, Mr. Hawke said the group has been arranged to consider all possible options. “There are a lot of different aspects to this, this is not all or nothing,” said Mr. Hawke, “meaning we don’t necessarily have to choose our own private company. I think there could be something in the middle too and I would like to get involved and find out what is best for the city.” Capt. Newton said a combination of a private and city-run service is a more likely outcome, because a municipal ambulance may not be able to provide certain care to people in need. “I think a combination is what probably will happen,” said Capt. Newton. “If we do get an ambulance we wouldn’t be able to provide advanced life support right away.” All advanced life support calls are currently directed to Woods Ambulance, where care providers are certified and capable of providing advanced care. Mr. Cormier attended a presentation planning to use a combination of services earlier in the year. “I was approached with this situation before the last campaign,” said Mr. Cormier. “The presentation was a combination where the fire would provide regular life support and all other cases would be redirected to a private source.” The implementation of a municipal ambulance service would require the formation of an enterprise account that Mr. Newton said would benefit the fire department each time they responded to an emergency. “We would collect off of the health insurance, just like other companies,” said Mr. Newton. “That money would then go into an enterprise account which would help us pay for manpower, repairs and potentially more ambulances.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 4 on 8/8/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 187)