Simsbury Inks New Ambulance Pact For Services

Town of Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT — A recently announced three-year pact was signed by the town and the town's private ambulance provider, ensuring stable ambulance coverage for the near future.

Town officials announced last week the signing of a multiyear agreement with the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association.

The agreement calls for SVAA to continue to deploy an additional response unit, maintain higher service levels, and increase transparency and reporting commitments to the community.

“Around the country, private ambulance companies face tremendous financial pressures and many have shut their doors, merged, or been acquired by larger and sometimes national organizations which are often unfamiliar with the communities they take on in the name of rapid expansion goals," said Simsbury Town Manager Marc Nelson.

"Here in Simsbury, we value the long history of service that SVAA has provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors. The financial support which the town will provide over the next three years will ensure the continuation of enhanced service, while at the same time strengthening our own goals of improved transparency and innovation in our local government.”

Under the terms of the Agreement, the town will provide financial support of $200,000, $180,000,
and $160,000 over the three years, supplemented with non-financial support in the form of
assistance with strategic capital planning for future years.

Brian Clancy, president of the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association said “this agreement
and financial support from the Town of Simsbury will enable our association to continue to provide the high level of care and service levels that the Town warrants. We look forward to continuing the positive and productive relationship with the Town that led to this agreement.”

SVAA Executive Director Karin Stewart said “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Town of
Simsbury for their collaboration and support in securing funding for the Simsbury Volunteer
Ambulance. Your recognition of the vital service we provide to our community means so much.
We look forward to continuing our strong partnership to serve the residents of Simsbury together.”

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis the pact is proof of the town's public safety commitment.

“The board of selectmen voted unanimously to support this agreement. It extends our prior commitment to support a second response unit, which was initially funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, and is now being supported by our taxpayers," she said.