EMS Department Seeks Flat Budget

The Board of Selectmen reviewed town departments at their meeting last night to prepare for another tough budget season in FY13.

EMS Director Brian Gleason presented his departmental review to the board, where he said a zero percent increase is possible.

“The goals I have are to continue cost efficient paramedic service,” said Gleason. “We want to provide residents what they are used to getting.”

Like other departments in town, the main issues present in crafting the budgets lie in the New Hampshire Retirement System and fuel costs.

Gleason has projected that his budget will need to include a $2,372 increase for NHRS costs and $3,754 in gasoline and diesel costs.

Reductions in the budget include equipment repair, uniforms and new equipment, totalling a projected $6,285 decrease.

His top priority for the next fiscal year is to increase employee wages through either Cost-Of-Living Adjustments or wage adjustments.

“One of my main goals is to maintain the experienced staff we have here at our department,” said Gleason at Monday’s meeting. “We want to keep good employees.”

Amherst EMS currently includes approximately 10 EMT’s, 8 EMT-Intermediates, 9 Paramedics and one student intern.

According to Gleason, the town of Amherst is behind other communities in its starting rate of pay. Amherst EMT’s make $9.25 per hour, EMT-Intermediates make $10 and Paramedics make $13.92.

This is less than offered at American Medical Response in Nashua/Manchester, which offers an approximate starting wage of $12 an hour for EMT’s, $14 for EMT-intermediates and $17 for Paramedics.

Last year, the Board of Selectmen made a decision to not include EMS members in the group of town employees that received a 2 percent step increase in wages, which has affected morale, according to Gleason.

If wage increases to attract and retain quality personnel do not make it into this year’s budget, Gleason said he would consider drafting a warrant article for a one-time EMS wage adjustment.

During the fiscal year 2010-2011, Amherst EMS responded to the needs of about 573 patients. Gleason added that it only costs each resident about $20 a year for 24/7/365 paramedic level service in Amherst.

As far as a new ambulance vehicle, Gleason said he would hold off this fiscal year and see if it can be funded by a grant in the future

Finally, Gleason said he wants to integrate the EMS and Fire Department in order to share resources and cut costs.

We will have other town department reviews and their outlook on the upcoming budget coming for you throughout the week.