LETTER: Southbury Ambulance Association Takes Issue With Town

Editor's Note: The Southbury Ambulance Association sent this following letter in its entirety to the local media.

Southbury Ambulance Association (SAA) chief Geralyn Hoyt, cautioned Southbury residents today that a successful bid by Southbury First Selectman Jeffrey Manville for the Town of Southbury to assume services now provided by Southbury Ambulance Association in addition to ambulance services provided by Southbury Training School Fire Department, once the school closes, will likely mean an increase in local taxes and a severe degradation of services for citizens who have relied on them for decades.

“Who, other than Selectman Manville, who quietly filed an application with the state’s Office of Emergency Medical Services, is calling for a change of service?” asked Hoyt. “Conveniently, he is ignoring explaining to our citizens the impact to their existing emergency ambulance service that a change like this would mean, and the financial cost to taxpayers who will ultimately have to foot the bill.”

Hoyt contends that a takeover of services will cost the citizens of Southbury millions of dollars in new taxes. She outlined the following costs citizens should be aware of:

· Building, maintaining, and operating an emergency service building

· Acquiring and maintaining a fleet of emergency medical vehicles

· Hiring and training personnel to manage; also related pensions, 401Ks, overtime, health insurance

· Billing services, medical supplies and equipment, operating the 911 communication system

· Updating the 911 communication system

· Additional Southbury/Town liability and malpractice insurance

· All of this is estimated to cost taxpayers approximately $5 million dollars

“Southbury Ambulance Association does not receive any funding from the Town of Southbury,” she added. “We do not take money from the taxpayers. In fact, every year, on behalf of the town of Southbury, Southbury Ambulance collects and remits to the town of Southbury over $100,000.00.”

Hoyt added that SAA owns and maintains their building at 68 Georges Hill Road at zero-cost to taxpayers as well as their fleet of four ambulances, medical supplies and equipment.

Founded in 1953, the all-volunteer Southbury Ambulance Association, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization has served the people of Southbury for over 60 years through a dedicated force of certified trained volunteers and professionals. SAA has provided Southbury citizens with round-the-clock, 365 days per year emergency medical care, transport and education.

Southbury Ambulance continues to expand its services and update its technology regularly to ensure consistent, quality lifesaving care, said Hoyt. Southbury Ambulance responds to over 2,000 emergency calls annually, she added, and is capable of meeting and responding to current and projected demand for emergency and paramedic services.

George Goodwin, who heads Heritage Village Ambulance Association, a non-profit ambulance service that has been serving Heritage Village for 47 years has worked closely with Southbury Ambulance Association for many years. Their services cooperate frequently, he said, and, together, they have created an emergency response system that has served Southbury exceptionally well for years at minimal cost to taxpayers.

Goodwin said that Southbury can ill afford to suddenly change the processes and system that is in place and supports Hoyt in her efforts to prevent First Selectman Manville from orchestrating a change. He is calling on Southbury citizens to get involved and support Southbury Ambulance.

“The next Board of Selectmen’s meeting is Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 7:00 pm. at the Town Hall. Your attendance is vital,” he said. “Come voice your opinions and ask your questions. The citizens of Southbury deserve answers. Your lives literally could depend on it.”