NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Northern Berkshire EMS a $464,980 Operations and Safety Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
"It's a huge benefit for us in terms of capital expenses. It is a huge relief for us, landing these grants," Northern Bekshire EMS General Manager John Meaney Jr. said.
The competitive grant is part of a $15.78 million fund awarded to emergency services across the state. Although it is labeled as a firefighter grant, a portion is carved out for emergency medical services. Meaney said, in total, the grant is nearly $511,000 with a federal share of almost $465,000.
This year the funding will replace ambulance power cots and power load systems.
"We have the power cots that actually carry the patient, and then the power load systems are the systems that actually pick the stretcher up and put it into the ambulance," he said. "It is much safer for the patients and for the providers. It saves on back injuries and things of that nature."
Meaney said all of the ambulances can be fitted with power cots but the ones currently installed are nearing the end of their useful lives. He said the current stock is between 10 and 13 years old.
The cots cost $36,000 each while the load system costs $31,000. He said they will order six power cots and three power loaders.
Additionally, the money will help replace and upgrade the ambulance fleet radios.
"So we're upgrading those to triband radios, multichannel, multiband radios, which gives us access to multiple frequencies all in one radio. Which is very helpful because we cover a large geographic area," he said. "So if you go over to Franklin County, they're on a different frequency range than over here in Berkshire County, so we'd have to have two radios in the ambulance. So now we're able to kind of consolidate all that into one radio."
The grant will also help Northern Berkshire purchase three base radios.
Lastly, the grant will allow it to send eight paramedics to further their training to the Critical Care Paramedic certification level.
Additionally, Meaney said there was some money left over from a previous grant that they will use to fund an emergency medical technician course. Those interested in becoming an EMT can take advantage of free training.
"We're trying to really drum up staff levels," he said. "Because that is still a concern right across the industry so we want to bolster our staff."
The course will start in October and those interested can apply
online or contact Northern Berkshire EMS at 413-664-6680.
Meaney also provided a fleet update and said it continues to get refreshed with the newest addition coming in three months ago
"We've taken delivery of six newer ambulances over the last couple of years. We typically don't replace them on that type of schedule, but due to backlog of production and supply shortages all stemming from COVID, that's just how backed up they've been," he said. "If you place an order for an ambulance today, you're probably going to see it in two years.
Currently, there are eight vehicles in the fleet with four more on order.
