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Chichester authorizes EMS reimbursement contract at 325% of Medicare; fire chief details major incidents
Summary
The Select Board authorized Fire Chief Robinson to sign an Anthem EMS reimbursement contract at a fixed rate of 325% of Medicare and heard the fire chief report three major in-town incidents, including a structure fire with displaced occupants and a fatal motorcycle crash.
The Chichester Select Board on June 2 authorized Fire Chief Robinson to sign Anthem EMS reimbursement contracts at a fixed rate of 325% of Medicare after state-level changes eliminated balance billing. The three-member board approved the motion unanimously.
Chief Robinson told the board the change follows statewide policy shifts that remove balance billing and presented two contract options: a stable, fixed 325% of Medicare rate and a variable rate to be set after a cost study. The board signaled a preference for the fixed-rate option, and a motion to authorize the chief to execute the Anthem contract and other required EMS contracts passed on a roll-call vote (Carrianne Aye; Jeremy Aye; Matt Aye).
Robinson also summarized the department’s activity for the year to date: 231 incidents, including three major in-town responses. A structure fire at 16 Horse Corner Rd was caused by a bathroom fan and had no working smoke detectors; occupants were displaced and the Red Cross was contacted. A rollover extrication on Route 4 required mutual aid from neighboring towns, and a fatal motorcycle crash on Horse Corner Rd required paramedic intercept from Concord. Robinson reported mutual aid from Concord, Pembroke, Pittsfield and Allenstown on the structure fire and from Epsom, Concord and Loudon on the extrication.
On preparedness and operations, Robinson said the department completed hose-line deployment training with Concord, provided anaphylaxis training, and ran a multi-town water-supply drill sustaining 250–300 gallons per minute. He reported the department has spent 26.75% of its operating budget year to date, with payroll at 42.6% due to improved shift coverage. Capital updates included delivery of a kitchen hood system and a radio-system upgrade that is 98% functional.
Robinson asked town staff to assist with state-required EMS cost reporting due by the end of August; the board agreed to coordinate support. He also requested authorization to dispose of obsolete equipment via MuniciBid and to explore barter or training exchanges (for example, trading an unused 5" hose for training); the board requested an inventory list before final approval and took no vote on disposal.
The board’s authorization to sign the Anthem contract is an administrative step toward stabilizing EMS reimbursement for the town’s ambulance service. The board did not set an implementation date in public remarks; Chief Robinson will proceed with contract execution per the motion.
