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Otis and Monterey boards weigh expanding Auto Aid agreement to include EMS coverage
Summary
At a joint April 9 meeting at the Monterey Fire Station, Otis and Monterey officials discussed broadening their Auto Aid agreement to cover EMS response; Monterey proposed Otis ambulance coverage in exchange for staffing support and will forward a draft agreement to Otis for review.
The Town of Otis Selectboard and Monterey officials met jointly on April 9 at the Monterey Fire Station to discuss expanding their Auto Aid agreement to include emergency medical services (EMS) coverage. Chris Tryon, a Selectboard member, outlined the history of joint fire operations and the purpose of the existing Auto Aid arrangement.
Tryon and Selectboard member Rick Phair described how the towns currently coordinate emergency responses and said mutual response has benefited both communities by improving coverage and sharing resources. A Monterey representative explained that Monterey’s existing arrangement with Southern Berkshire Ambulance has changed in recent years and said Monterey is exploring options to shore up EMS coverage.
Monterey proposed broadening the Auto Aid Agreement to explicitly include EMS response and suggested that the Otis ambulance could cover Monterey calls in exchange for staffing support from Monterey. Board members discussed how compensation and operational details might work but did not identify specific dollar amounts or firm terms during the meeting.
Both boards agreed to continue talks and to pursue a written draft. Monterey will forward a draft Auto Aid/EMS agreement to Otis so the towns can review proposed terms and staffing arrangements. No formal motion or vote was recorded on the expansion during the April 9 meeting.
The meeting opened at 10:08 a.m. and was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. The draft agreement and any proposed compensation or staffing schedules will be the subject of future meetings as the towns work toward a possible intergovernmental EMS arrangement.
