Ambulance gives Washburn options
in emergency response
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN — Town officials got public approval during a special town meeting Dec. 10 to purchase a used ambulance, which could be used for various purposes, according to Town Manager Bev Turner.
“We held a special meeting last week and asked citizens if they’d authorize the town to spend $6,000 for a used ambulance. Citizens present voted in favor of the purchase,” said Turner.
The vehicle has been in service with the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Service but was retired recently, with Caribou giving Washburn first crack at purchasing it.
Turner said while town officials aren’t sure what it will be used for, she said it could conceivably serve as a functioning ambulance for the community.
“Our contract is coming due with Crown Ambulance. We (Turner and the town councilors) aren’t sure whether it would be better to renew our contract or to provide our own service to residents,” she said, noting the contract with Crown is considerably more than the cost of the recently-purchased ambulance.
The town manager said that’s a matter that will be looked into in greater detail prior to the annual town meeting next spring.
“We’ll have to do more investigating — see what the pros and cons are, what our options are. This is something we’ve been considering. When the opportunity came along to buy a used one, we didn’t want to pass it up,” said Turner.
Staffing of an ambulance service is one thing being considered. Fire Chief Troy Heald said the Washburn Fire Department has some trained individuals but more would be needed.
“We currently have one intermediate and one basic EMT and three EMR’s — first responders basically. In order to run (an ambulance service), we would need all individuals trained to at least basic EMT levels,” said Heald.
If established, Turner said the service would likely be operated separate from the fire department.
“It would have its own director and staff,” she said.
She said she and the town councilors will explore the idea more in the coming months, including staffing.
“We might find students at NMCC who are taking part in programs there that might be interested in working on an ambulance crew. There might be people in Washburn and surrounding areas with some type of nursing background who are looking to make a change or perhaps some of our firefighters would be interested in either becoming an EMT or upgrading from their current status,” said Turner.
Turner said there’s no question there’s opportunity here but nothing is definite at this point.
“We’re merely looking at our options. We won’t make any decisions before our town meeting next spring. It’s an idea worth considering, if we can make money and keep it in our community to benefit our citizens,” Turner said.
If citizens oppose establishing a service, Turner said the vehicle would still be considered an investment.
“It could be used for other purposes by one of our departments or even put on the market. We could easily get what we paid for it back if we sold it,” said Turner.
Turner said she welcomes public input. He can be reached at the Town Office at 455-8485.
