Amherst EMS Director Asks For Your Budget Support

On Tuesday March 12th, Amherst voters will take to the polls, close the curtain and make difficult decisions concerning the direction of this town for the next fiscal year.  Each oval selected will be colored with a permanent marker forming a lasting decision that best reflects the personal financial needs of every individual voter. As Emergency Medical Services Director, the successful passage of this budget is essential to the sustainability of your Advanced Life Support ambulance program so that we may continue to attract and retain high quality EMS healthcare professionals who proudly stand ready to answer your calls for help 24/7.

At present EMT starting pay is $9.25 per hour and the Paramedic rate is $13.25, both of which are considerably less than our surrounding EMS communities and the competitive EMS market.   A substantial portion of the towns FY14 budget increase reflects a two-year phase in competitive wage increase adjustment for our EMS professionals which have only had one 1% pay increase in the last four years. I know that every extra dollar hurts when it comes to tax increases however your support of this budget will have a tremendous and long lasting effect on the quality of healthcare that our EMS professionals bring to you each and every day.

I applaud the Board of Selectmen and Ways & Means for their support of this wage adjustment and for making the courageous decision to place it in the budget rather than as a separate warrant article.  On behalf of my entire department which is comprised of all per-diem employees without benefits, thank you for your support of the FY14 budget.

Sincerely,

Brian M. Gleason, Director
Amherst EMS