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EMS committee outlines response targets, volunteer shortages and CAD gap in town ambulance service
Summary
The EMS committee presented the 2024 update, reporting a target of 90% of medical responses within nine minutes and rising call volumes (about 5,100 last year). The committee flagged volunteer declines, gaps in building defibrillator maintenance and the town ambulance’s lack of computer‑aided dispatch integration.
Daniel, chairman of the town’s EMS committee, presented the Local Emergency Medical Services Plan 2024 update, describing performance targets, staffing concerns and equipment gaps.
“We set performance standards for both Newington EMS and American Medical Response,” Daniel said, describing targets of roughly 90% of medical responses within nine minutes and 12 minutes for non‑emergent calls. He noted the town handled about 5,100 emergency calls last year and said volunteer ranks have fallen from prior levels, increasing reliance on AMR daytime coverage and mutual-aid arrangements.
Committee members and councilors asked about patient billing, collection processes and whether town buildings have maintained automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The presenter said town responsibility for AED maintenance shifted away from the ambulance organization around 2012 and that some town AEDs may not have up‑to‑date pads or battery checks. He called restoring a consistent maintenance program a priority to regain the state’s “heart-safe” designation.
The committee also urged integration of the town ambulance into the regional computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system used by fire and police units. Presenters described a lengthy effort to obtain CAD tablets and software for volunteer ambulances and cited administrative hurdles and equipment costs; councilors suggested pursuing grants and arranging a sit-down among the ambulance leadership, town IT and the town manager to resolve outstanding issues.
The council thanked EMS staff and volunteers and requested follow-up details on collection rates, AED inventories and a plan to pursue CAD equipment and grant opportunities.
