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Castine Selectboard approves concept to buy EMS vehicle to speed emergency response
Summary
The Castine Selectboard on Jan. 17 approved the concept of purchasing a Fire Department EMS vehicle estimated at $76,000 to improve local emergency response times; the board voted 3-0 and a deposit will be sought on the Jan. 21 warrant.
The Castine Selectboard voted on Jan. 17 to approve the concept of purchasing a new Fire Department EMS vehicle, a step the board said is intended to improve local emergency response. Chair Roberta Boczkiewicz made the motion, which passed unanimously, 3-0.
Fire Chief Randy Stearns told the board the department’s current crash vehicle is overloaded and aged out and that a previously purchased “Squad” has deteriorated to the point it will not pass inspection. He said an EMS-specific vehicle with custom storage would let personnel carry equipment more effectively and allow an EMS member to keep the vehicle with them to shorten response times; he also said ambulance service from Blue Hill typically takes about 28 minutes. The department estimated the new vehicle would cost $76,000.
Selectboard member Dan Leader asked about average EMS response times; Stearns replied that times vary depending on where personnel are located when a call comes in but said the new vehicle would offer a different approach by increasing on‑scene presence. Amy Gutow asked what would happen to the existing Squad; Stearns said the Squad could be repaired over time for secondary uses such as traffic control but is not currently inspection‑ready.
Stearns asked to meet with the board to discuss related items including design elements for a new fire station (including Witherle Woods), cold‑water rescue, community paramedicine and MMA construction at Curtis Hall. Boczkiewicz scheduled a work session for Monday, Jan. 27 (starting at 4 p.m.) and asked whether attendees could meet with Stearns at 5 p.m.; the group agreed. Town Manager Derik Goodine said Colliers is scheduled to meet next week to go over station design details.
Finance Officer Karen Motycka confirmed the Fire Vehicle Reserve Account holds a little more than $160,000, and Stearns said he will provide a deposit amount for the Selectboard warrant on Tuesday, Jan. 21. After brief discussion, Boczkiewicz moved to approve the concept of purchasing the EMS vehicle; Amy Gutow seconded and the board approved the motion, 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.
The action approved the concept of purchasing the vehicle; the transcript notes that Stearns will return with a deposit amount for the Jan. 21 warrant and additional discussion of station design and related programs is scheduled at the board’s Jan. 27 work session.
