Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - Town picks Vintech for emergency medical service duty

Town picks Vintech for emergency medical service duty

Marissa Yaremich , Register Staff
2/18/2004

NORTH BRANFORD — The state's oldest licensed emergency medical service management provider, Vintech Management Services, will take over as the town's primary ambulance operator, officials decided Tuesday.

Established in 1998, the Torrington-based provider will work for the town from March 15 to June 30, 2006.

According to the new contract, two-person crews trained at the basic life-support level will deliver emergency medical services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"It's a win-win situation for everyone," said interim Fire Chief Anthony Esposito Jr. after the Town Council's unanimous vote to put the program into effect.

The decision stems from two months ago when residents and Branford fire officials alleged that Volunteer Company 4, formerly the town's primary ambulance provider, inadequately responded to local medical calls due to a longtime staffing shortage.

The town later replaced the primary ambulance with a temporary crew from American Medical Response while the volunteers continued to run the backup ambulance.

During that 90-day trial period, an ambulance study committee concluded a contractual provider, like AMR, worked best for the town and sought proposals. Five companies responded.

Town Council members applauded Vintech's stellar track record of keeping volunteer services alive while simultaneously easing the burden of staffing shortages in places like Derby and Litchfield County .

"The key here is the door's been left open for the volunteer service to reset itself and come back as a viable means of providing ambulance service," Esposito said.

According to the contract, Vintech will provide the necessary services at an hourly rate of between $16.50 and $17.50 per employee, depending on a technician's certification level.

Because Vintech would use local ambulance apparatus, Company 4's ambulance service fund would absorb most of the contract's costs through billing revenues.

The town also reserves the right to "scale back" the contract should volunteers guarantee they can provide dedicated service at a designated time, Town Manager Karl Kilduff said.

In the meantime, the volunteers will continue to operate the backup ambulance.

In addition to fees, the contract stipulates that Vintech give interested local volunteers an opportunity to be interviewed and hired.

A North Branford volunteer will also be required to sit in on calls to provide geographical direction.

During a recent meeting with volunteers, the ambulance committee Chairman John Lappie said the majority of Company 4 was receptive to the contract and its possibilities.