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Peterborough warns Selectboard that Greenfield calls strain its ambulance service
Summary
Peterborough Fire Chief Bill Walker told the Greenfield Selectboard April 29 that mutual-aid ambulance calls from Greenfield reached a threshold last year and frequently take Peterborough ambulances out of service for their own residents. The board agreed to work with Greenfield Fire Chief Babb on an equitable approach.
Peterborough Fire Chief Bill Walker and Deputy Chief EMS John Fahey told the Greenfield Selectboard on April 29 that Peterborough provides the majority of mutual-aid ambulance coverage for Greenfield and that last year the number of mutual-aid calls from Greenfield exceeded Peterborough’s internal threshold for concern.
Walker said when Peterborough ambulances respond to Greenfield calls they are often taken out of service for Peterborough residents, which strains his department’s coverage. He told the board the threshold he watches is when mutual-aid calls from one town represent more than about 10% of Peterborough’s call volume.
The discussion highlighted differences in provider models and geography: Wilton Ambulance’s staffing and transport model—centered on patient choice—can increase time the ambulance is out of service for some transports, while nearby providers serving Lyndeborough and Wilton see a lower percentage of mutual-aid calls because of proximity to other EMS resources. Chief Walker said those dynamics leave Peterborough covering a disproportionate share of Greenfield mutual-aid calls.
Selectboard members said they now had a better understanding of the issue and agreed to coordinate with Greenfield Fire Chief Babb to pursue an equitable solution for both towns. The minutes record no formal vote; the item was discussed as a direction to staff and interagency coordination.
