Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ambulance Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Henniker budget review spotlights ambulance costs, staffing and new remount plan
Summary
The Select Board heard that ambulance operations are running at a roughly $1.0–1.1 million annual budget, with rising dispatch costs, overtime pressure from a per‑diem staffing model, and a planned $205,000 remount to extend vehicle life instead of buying a new ambulance.
The Henniker Select Board on Tuesday spent substantial time on the town’s fire and rescue budget, where presenters warned that ambulance operations are under pressure from staffing, equipment and rising dispatch fees. Agency presenter (speaker 10) said the combined fire/rescue budget is roughly $1.0–1.1 million and outlined proposals to contain costs while maintaining service.
The presenter described a staffing model that relies heavily on per‑diem employees with two full‑time employees on the roster and significant overtime when shifts go unfilled. He said paramedics for the service typically bring five to 10 years’ experience and that raising paramedic pay slightly could help recruit more permanent staff and reduce overtime. He also noted the dispatch contract increased by “about $2,000” this year, and that adding more towns to the dispatch center strains radio capacity and frequencies.
On equipment, the presenter recommended a preventative‑maintenance (PM) contract for power cots and lift systems with the manufacturer Stryker. That plan, he said, will cost more in the short term but avoid replacement costs associated with a new ambulance box. He described a remount ordered last year — purchasing a new chassis and remounting the existing ambulance box — with total cost estimated at about $205,000 compared with more than $400,000 for a completely new ambulance. "It's been a better plan to try to upkeep and maintain and to actually buy into their preventative maintenance plan rather than replace every time," he said.
Board members pressed on billing practices. The presenter explained the service bills the patient’s insurance and collects what the insurer will pay; for Henniker residents the town typically does not pursue the difference between insurer payment and billed charges, viewing that gap as already covered by local taxes. "We bill their insurance and collect what their insurance will pay," he said, adding that non‑resident balance billing does occur and that some unpaid amounts can be difficult to collect when insurers or patients do not forward funds.
The board discussed regionalization options for dispatch and ambulance coverage, mutual‑aid arrangements, and possible changes to rate structures for contracted towns. No formal vote or policy change was taken; staff were directed to continue exploring grant opportunities — including state and federal digital radio upgrades — and to return with more precise figures for potential rate and staffing adjustments.
Next steps: staff will seek clearer figures on expected grant awards, refine the ambulance capital plan and return with options for altering the staffing mix and billing procedures to the Select Board for further consideration.
