Caribou council waives Spud Speedway EMS fee after infield ambulance struck; discussion turns to insurance, staffing and event policy

The Caribou City Council unanimously voted Oct. 20 to waive a $450 EMS fee for Spud Speedway’s Sept. 27 coverage after Speedway representatives described the track’s large economic impact and difficulties securing insurance. The vote came as councilors discussed a Sept. 28 incident in which a demolition-derby vehicle struck a municipal ambulance that had been positioned in the infield at the owner’s direction.

Why it matters: The exchange exposed two connected issues: short staffing and overtime pressure within the Caribou Fire & Ambulance Department, and unclear expectations about insurance and event coverage that the city and event organizers must reconcile to reduce liability and improve safety at large events.

Spud Speedway owner Jim Gamage asked the council to waive the $450 EMS fee, citing attendance figures for the track’s season and economic benefit to the city. “It’s a big economic impact that Spud Speedway has and I’m just asking that you waive that $450,” Gamage told the council. He said the facility had about 22,000 attendees in 2024 and referenced third-party tracking data (Placer.ai) used to estimate crowd size.

Manager Thompson and Speedway representatives confirmed an incident during a demolition derby on Sept. 28 in which a derby vehicle struck the ambulance. The city has filed an insurance claim; staff said MMA (the city’s insurer) and the Speedway’s insurer have exchanged paperwork. According to staff, Speedway owners reported that their insurer denied some coverage because the ambulance was hired by the Speedway rather than owned by the insurer’s named insured; the Speedway also reported difficulty procuring coverage from multiple carriers because of venue characteristics (wooden bleachers, facility configuration) and that they have invested in reinforced fencing and other safety measures.

Councilor discussion focused on immediate and systemic responses. Key points included: - The council voted to waive the $450 fee for 7.5 hours of EMS coverage for the Sept. 27 event; the motion was moved, amended to the 7.5-hour figure ($450), seconded and passed with recorded “aye” votes. (Recorded council yea votes during the motion: Bagley, Kelly, Lovewell, Smith, Terrio, Watson.) - Councilors and Speedway representatives discussed insurance limitations for racing venues, noting that some national underwriters decline to write policies for car-racing facilities and that the Speedway has pursued multiple carriers. - Staff and the Speedway explored alternatives to place non-municipal immediate-response medical personnel on site (for example, hiring a paramedic/EMT to be present) and the possibility of memorandums of understanding with nearby municipal or volunteer ambulance services to share coverage for events. - The council emphasized that waivers do not apply to spectators; event waivers may cover participants in certain circumstances but do not substitute for required insurance or the city’s obligations in providing hired services.

Councilors also stressed that the city needs clearer policy language and insurance requirements tied to the existing event-support resolution. Manager Thompson and Speedway owners agreed to continue discussions and to provide the council with more detailed insurance documentation and options for future seasons. Staff said the city’s insurer (MMA) is handling the claim for damage to the ambulance and will pursue recovery as appropriate.

Context on staffing and past event coverage: Public comment earlier in the meeting raised broader concerns about the Fire & Ambulance Department’s staffing and pay. Megan Thompson (public commenter) said department members regularly work excessive overtime because of a near-year-long vacancy, and urged the council to consider competitive base wages rather than reliance on overtime. During the Speedway discussion, department staff acknowledged two rescheduled races earlier in the season that ran without on-site municipal EMS coverage and explained that weather and short notice for reschedules complicate staffing for seasonal event calendars.

What happens next: Councilors directed staff to gather further information on insurance policy requirements and potential mutual aid or contracted medical coverage options, and suggested reviewing and clarifying the city resolution governing public-safety support for events. Speedway representatives said they are pursuing additional insurance options and exploring ways to have on-site medical personnel if their insurer will accept such arrangements.