Scituate council recognizes EMS and approves up to $56,000 for new cardiac monitor

The Scituate Town Council on Monday voted to formally recognize Scituate EMS as an emergency service entity for budget and insurance purposes and approved spending up to $56,000 from opioid‑related funds to replace an aging Lifepak cardiac monitor.

The recognition motion passed without recorded objection after a roll call and brief discussion. Council members then considered a request to purchase a new Lifepak 35 monitor, which town EMS representatives described as an upgrade from the department’s existing Lifepak 15. “This purchase is for a Lifepak…LifePak 35,” said John, an EMS representative, explaining that each advanced life support truck carries the unit and that the older monitor is “no longer serviceable.” He added the monitor functions as a cardiac monitor, pulse‑oximeter, capnography device and defibrillator and is routinely used when responders treat overdoses.

Council members discussed funding the purchase from opioid‑related monies rather than capital funds, and John tied that choice to state protocol: after administration of naloxone (Narcan), “you have to use a cardiac monitor,” he said, arguing the equipment directly supports opioid overdose response.

The motion to use opioid fund dollars for the monitor was moved and seconded and carried on a verbal aye vote. The council did not produce a recorded roll‑call tally in the meeting record.

The council did not take further action related to EMS during the session; the meeting proceeded to a separate presentation on the Hope Mill redevelopment.