Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chief says municipal EMS plan included in FY26 budget; certificate‑of‑need questions remain
Summary
South Berwick’s fire chief presented the proposed municipal emergency medical services plan and budget assumptions to the council, saying the program is expected to cost more than current contracted EMS; staff noted that certificate-of‑need rules do not presently block annual EMS services but the issue requires further review.
South Berwick Fire Chief Tim Hamill detailed the town’s proposed municipal emergency medical services (EMS) plan Tuesday and answered questions from the council after an email from state Representative Tiffany Roberts raised concerns about the proposal.
Chief Hamill said the town’s EMS proposal and associated personnel model are not intended to be a revenue source and “is gonna be more expensive than what we pay now for the fire department and contracted EMS.” He told councilors that the current projections are conservative and that the department has factored consultant costs and contingencies into its budget.
The chief said much of the work needed for a non‑transport EMS license — policies, procedures and medical agreements — is already in progress, and that additional steps would be required if the town pursues transport‑capable ambulance service. He noted that the main regulatory unknown is whether the state Department of Health and Human Services will require certificate‑of‑need approvals for annual ambulance services; “as of today, that is not a thing for annual services,” he said, but staff will continue to verify the requirement.
Councilors pressed for documentation and for the email from Representative Tiffany Roberts to be included in the public record; the manager said staff forwarded the representative’s questions to the fire chief and would make the correspondence part of the record. Several councilors thanked the chief for providing detailed materials and said they wanted further written detail on licensing steps and cost assumptions before final budget approval.
The chief said the proposed model is intended to address both EMS coverage and an aging volunteer/part‑time fire force by creating paid staff capable of delivering both services: “This is a dual kind of issue, solution,” he said, adding the approach seeks to solve two staffing problems with one model.
No formal council action was taken on EMS at the meeting; the topic remains part of the FY26 budget deliberations and will be addressed again in upcoming workshops and public hearings.
Why it matters: The council is considering a structural change in how emergency medical and fire services are staffed and delivered. The plan carries material budget implications and regulatory steps that could affect the town’s ability to begin transport service and the timetable for implementation.
What’s next: Staff will add Representative Roberts’ email to the public record, provide additional supporting detail on licensing and costs, and continue to research certificate‑of‑need questions with state agencies.
