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Fire and ambulance budgets rise as town faces 41% dispatch increase and seeks to restore paramedic staffing
Summary
Chief Walker told the Budget Committee that ambulance salaries rose about 9% to restore staffing, dispatch costs jumped 41% due to infrastructure replacement, and the town is weighing a $85,000–$125,000 expansion of local dispatch to include fire and ambulance.
Fire Chief Walker addressed the joint Select Board and Budget Committee on Jan. 13 about staffing and operational changes in fire, ambulance and emergency management budgets.
Chief Walker said ambulance-operation salaries increased roughly 9% to help restore paramedic staffing after a downturn in paramedic availability; the department aims to have two paramedics on duty 24/7 and has recently hired or expects additional full-time paramedics. He noted a one-time payout for education and sick leave tied to his planned retirement in the next fiscal year.
A substantial 41% increase in dispatch service costs from the Southwest Mutual Aid district was presented as an immediate budgetary issue. Chief Walker explained the increase stemmed from replacing 20-year-old infrastructure and stabilizing staffing; he said future annual increases of 5%–10% should be anticipated to cover operations and capital needs. The department is exploring expansion of the Peterborough Police dispatch center to handle fire and ambulance dispatch at an estimated capital cost between $85,000 and $125,000; staff said they are seeking Homeland Security grant funding but town fund balance or CIP adjustments may be required if grants fall short.
The chief also noted utility projections tied to a new 23,000-square-foot facility that will raise electricity usage; the building is designed to allow a future solar array that could cover up to 50% of energy needs. The department will move to a new online training platform and is increasing budgeted training for advanced clinical skills. The town also revised ambulance billing to 325% of the Medicare rate and expects ambulance-transfer revenue to grow as paramedic staffing stabilizes.
What’s next: Budget committee members approved minutes and the committee adjourned. Staff will continue to refine dispatch and facility cost projections and pursue grant opportunities for dispatch expansion and equipment.
