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Volunteer EMS outlines rising supply costs, fixed paramedic contract and ambulance fit‑out needs
Summary
New Canaan EMS told the subcommittee it ran about 1,700 calls last year with 54 active volunteers and asked for a capital replacement of a paramedic vehicle and modest increases in medical‑supply contributions; the paramedic contract with Norwalk Hospital is a fixed $465,000 annual charge through mid‑2028.
Leaders of New Canaan EMS presented the volunteer ambulance service’s FY27 requests and explained how town contributions and fundraising sustain operations. Barb Clayton, president of New Canaan EMS, said volunteers answered over 1,700 calls last year involving roughly 1,800 patients and logged about 28,633 volunteer hours from 54 active and probationary members.
John Knight summarized the service’s contract and budget lines: the town pays a fixed five‑year paramedic contract with Norwalk Hospital (07/01/2023–06/30/2028) at $465,000 per year; that figure is fixed and the FY27 budget shows no proposed increase for that line. Knight said the service is asking for a modest increase in the town contribution to medical supplies (presented as a 5% increase) because Norwalk Hospital began billing the town directly for paramedic supplies in October 2024.
On capital, EMS requested $85,000 for a paramedic vehicle replacement (an SUV including radios, fit‑out and detailing). Officials noted that full ambulance prices and fit‑outs have climbed since the pandemic; they cited higher base prices and added radios, power loaders and detailing costs that together increase the total outlay and sometimes require EMS to cover small overages.
Clayton said the organization runs an annual soft fundraising appeal that typically raises $180,000–$210,000 and that the group maintains reserves (reportedly about $800,000) in CDs and money‑market funds to smooth capital timing.
Next steps: EMS will continue to coordinate estimates for ambulance purchases and fit‑outs; finance staff and council members asked for clear line‑item detail for the full council budget packet.
