Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lancaster chiefs report ambulance outages, hospital transfers and police staffing gaps
Summary
Fire Chief Randy Flynn reported two ambulances temporarily out of service, an ISO audit requirement for annual pump testing, and longer patient transfers as local hospitals are full; Police Chief Jon Woodworth outlined recent departures, new hires and an open eighth officer position.
Fire Chief Randy Flynn told the Select Board that ambulance A4 is out of service due to a front differential failure and that A7 is sidelined with a timing-chain issue; he said his plan is to repair A7 to extend its service life and avoid requesting a replacement ambulance in 2026. Flynn also reported the department had an Insurance Services Office (ISO) audit which highlighted the need for annual pump testing of apparatus.
Flynn said local hospitals are full again, forcing longer patient transfers to facilities with open beds. When Selectman Leon Rideout asked whether the service numbers reflected the ambulance sent to Littleton, Flynn confirmed that the Littleton deployment accounted for lower town call counts and said Littleton had used that truck for about 70 trips and, as of his report, had not yet collected payment for those trips.
Police Chief Jon Woodworth reviewed department call and vehicle statistics and outlined staffing changes: Officer Walker and Officer Sullivan have left to join Littleton PD and Gorham PD, respectively; Kyler Kenison and Officer Deluca (from Groveton PD) have been hired; Officer Jefferson remains deployed and Officer Komisarek is performing administrative duties while recovering from a broken leg. Woodworth said the department’s eighth officer position remains open and that Lt. Matthews will cover operations while the chief is on vacation.
Why it matters
Ambulance equipment outages and hospital capacity both affect emergency response times and local patient transfer logistics; payments for mutual-aid trips and the department’s staffing levels affect budgeting and coverage. Police staffing churn and an open position also influence response capacity for the community.
What’s next
The fire department will pursue repairs under warranty where applicable, address ISO recommendations such as pump testing, and continue to monitor mutual-aid arrangements. The police department continues recruitment for the open position and will manage coverage through existing supervisors.
