Portsmouth Fire Department to begin paramedic-level service Nov. 1 after purchase of equipment; $229,000 AFG grant to fund training
October 15, 2025 | Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island
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The Portsmouth Fire Department will begin providing paramedic-level emergency medical services starting Nov. 1 after state licensure and the purchase of necessary equipment, Fire Chief Ford told the town council.
"We have since been licensed by the state to operate at the paramedic level," Ford said, adding that the department has purchased medications and equipment and drafted protocols. He said 11 personnel are now paramedic-qualified and that the department expects to operate at a higher level of care when those staff are on duty.
Chief Ford also reported the department was awarded a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) of $229,000. The grant will fund paramedic training for eight firefighters; Ford described it as a 1,200-hour program covering tuition, required lab days and some incidental costs. After the grant-funded training, he said, about half the department should be at the paramedic level.
Councilors asked whether higher-level services would change the town's ambulance billing. Ford explained that billing levels depend on the interventions and medications used on-scene: when higher interventions are used the town may bill at ALS-2 rather than ALS-1, which could increase reimbursement.
No formal council vote was required for the report; Ford presented the update during the town administrator's section of the agenda.
"We have since been licensed by the state to operate at the paramedic level," Ford said, adding that the department has purchased medications and equipment and drafted protocols. He said 11 personnel are now paramedic-qualified and that the department expects to operate at a higher level of care when those staff are on duty.
Chief Ford also reported the department was awarded a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) of $229,000. The grant will fund paramedic training for eight firefighters; Ford described it as a 1,200-hour program covering tuition, required lab days and some incidental costs. After the grant-funded training, he said, about half the department should be at the paramedic level.
Councilors asked whether higher-level services would change the town's ambulance billing. Ford explained that billing levels depend on the interventions and medications used on-scene: when higher interventions are used the town may bill at ALS-2 rather than ALS-1, which could increase reimbursement.
No formal council vote was required for the report; Ford presented the update during the town administrator's section of the agenda.
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