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Bennington Rescue reports midyear shortfall, says regional task force to deliver options by October
Summary
Bennington Rescue told the select board it ran a roughly $36,500 net loss for Jan. 1–June 15, 2026, and warned that without sustained municipal or grant funding staffing and response capability are at risk; a regionalization task force chaired by the BCRC will deliver options by Oct. 1.
Bennington Rescue reported to the Bennington Select Board on June 25 that the agency is operating under financial strain and is pursuing regional collaboration to shore up service stability.
Becky, speaking for Bennington Rescue, said the service continues to provide around-the-clock coverage but has adjusted overnight staffing so 12:00 a.m.–6:00 a.m. is now on‑call due to usage patterns. She reported the squad responded to 331 calls as of mid‑June and listed revenue and expense details for the period Jan. 1–June 15: insurance deposits $144,830; contract transfers $30,600; donations $9,380; grants $11,288; total net income listed as $19,698, and total net expenses about $232,593, producing a reported net loss of about $36,495 for the period.
"Without sustained and increased funding, PRS faces risk staffing stability, response capability, and long-term service availability," Becky told the board.
The report described changing payer mixes (Medicare about 52%, Medicaid about 19%, commercial insurance about 13%) and falling call volume, with mutual‑aid responses accounting for a sizeable portion of activity that affects both revenue and staffing. Becky said ambulance replacement will likely be needed within one to three years (estimated $200,000–$250,000) and cardiac monitor replacement is also expected in the coming years (roughly $120,000).
Board members and rescue representatives also described a regional EMS task force chaired by Nick Zak of the Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC). The task force, which includes executives from neighboring rescue organizations and select‑board representatives, will meet biweekly and aims to develop three to five options for potential regionalization and budget impacts. The group expects to present options around Oct. 1 for consideration and public discussion.
The board did not take formal fiscal action at the meeting but kept the item on the agenda for follow-up and signaled interest in reviewing grant opportunities, municipal funding levels and the task force recommendations once available. The rescue squad said an open house is planned for Aug. 1 and that FEMA grant applications for cardiac monitors are underway.
