Kingston discusses joining Plaistow-led regional paramedic service as Exeter ALS winds down

Kingston Select Board members heard an extended update about a proposed regional paramedic service led by the town of Plaistow and discussed how Kingston might participate and pay for it.

The presenter said Plaistow has “secured enough funding from BLH, in the $22,000,000 to make the 1st year free,” and that an additional $2,000,000 from BLH has been brokered with help from the attorney general’s office, Janice Stevens of the governor and council’s office and regional chiefs, according to the presenter.

Board members were told Plaistow plans to host the regional paramedic service and that the first year of operating costs would be covered by donors and grants. The presenter outlined a multi-year cost-sharing plan for participating towns: year two about 20 percent of the service cost per town, year three 40 percent, year four 60 percent, year five 80 percent and by year six towns would be expected to cover 100 percent of the per-town share unless additional donations reduced those amounts. The presenter described the schedule as tied to donations and the number of towns that join the service.

Why it matters: Kingston requested advanced paramedic-level care 81 times in 2023, according to the presentation, and current ALS…