Woolwich selectmen are considering a two-year emergency medical service contract proposed by Wiscasset Ambulance Service, just as a three-year contract Woolwich has with another, larger company is expiring.

Woolwich EMT Gregory Siegel discussed the proposed contract with Wiscasset Ambulance Service Director Roland Abbott, Wiscasset Town Manager Laurie Smith and Woolwich officials during a special meeting at the Woolwich town office Monday, March 25. Woolwich EMS Director Dana Lindsey was unable to attend the meeting.

A quicker response time, more potential revenue and training are the central reasons why Woolwich should be interested in such a contract, according to Siegel.

The three-year contract between the town of Woolwich and North East Mobile Health Service expires June 30, 2013.  North East contracts with to transport patients and respond to emergency scenes to assist local EMS crews.

Siegel mentioned there have been delays in North East responding to emergency calls, and that the town could increase revenue by transporting more patients. North East provides approximately 96 percent of patients for Woolwich, according to Lindsey, who confirmed there were some delays.

“It could take 20 minutes or more for North East to get here,” Siegel said. Selectmen Chairmen David King said he had not heard any complaints about North East nor of any delays in service.

“Woolwich would like to eventually go 24/7,” selectman Dale Chadbourne said to Abbott and Smith. “You would have no problem with that?” Selectmen also asked several questions about how such a contract with Wiscasset would operate.

In response, Abbott said the Woolwich EMS crew and his department have already been working together through an informal mutual aid agreement, indicating that his department would help Woolwich EMS grow. Their work would ensure the town would have 24-hour, seven days per week, 365 days per year coverage, he said.

“I think it's doable. Departments would be able to determine who goes to calls. At the end of the day, it's all about patient care,” Smith said.  

Smith added that Woolwich EMS personnel would work out a schedule with those in Wiscasset. Wiscasset Ambulance Service would be in a support role, helping Woolwich EMS develop, she said.  “I think it's a win-win.”

The proposed agreement, Lindsey later clarified, seeks to have Wiscasset provide emergency medical service to Woolwich during the weekdays and Woolwich EMS would cover the town on weekends. The town of Woolwich would pay $3,000 to Wiscasset for the service.

The contract also states that Wiscasset Ambulance Service would provide monthly training for the Woolwich EMS crew at no additional cost, and the two departments would collaborate on scheduling, standard operating procedures, protocols and patient care. It would require a two-year commitment for both towns. Wiscasset is seeking a response from Woolwich, as they are currently involved in the annual budget review process and need to determine service coverage by April 5.

Wiscasset Ambulance Service has 32 members in the department (11 paramedics, five intermediate EMTs, 10 basic EMTs and six drivers with CPR training), according to the town website. They have two ambulances, a boat and trailer.

Woolwich EMS has 15 licensed personnel, one of whom is a paramedic and a number are intermediate EMTs, according to Lindsey. Three drivers also have taken the basic EMT course in addition to special driver training, he said. Woolwich EMS has two ambulances and medical equipment with an annual account fund totaling $46,000. Their annual amount for department payroll is $12,000.

All of the money the Woolwich EMS department raises is generated by transporting patients from an emergency scene to the hospital, Lindsey said. The costs to transport a patient vary according to distance traveled and level of service. So far, their department has raised approximately 89 percent of the funds borrowed from the town for a new (used) ambulance, according to Lindsey.

However, Siegel said Woolwich EMS does not have the personnel to handle 24/7 coverage, though that is a long-term goal. A contract with Wiscasset would ensure a faster response time, since they are just the next town over and the collaboration would help both departments, he said.

Selectmen agreed to discuss the offer at their next meeting on April 1.