Jim Haddadin
MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, Mass.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — City officials awarded a new contract for emergency management services to Brewster Ambulance Service, ending a 25-year relationship with ambulance provider AMR.
In a brief announcement Monday, the city indicated Brewster will begin providing ambulance services on July 1.
The company, headquartered in Weymouth, was one of four EMS providers that responded to the city’s most recent request for bids. In a prepared statement, Fire Chief Joseph Hicks said Brewster offered the city more resources than its competitors.
“While each EMS company that participated in the (request for proposals), including the incumbent, were well qualified, Brewster proposed additional resources above and beyond what others did, committed to providing the most coverage and highest skill level and demonstrated a vision for the future of EMS in Framingham,” Hicks said. “I am confident that Brewster will bring continued safety and service to the City for years to come and look forward to working with them.”
Brewster Ambulance Service has a significant presence on the South Shore, where it serves communities including Quincy, Braintree, Brockton, Plymouth, Middleboro and Taunton.
According to the city’s announcement, Brewster will operate five new ambulances staffed with paramedics in Framingham. They will be overseen by a paramedic supervisor.
Brewster will also offer the city a “mobile simulation lab” to help train local firefighters, and provide other special resources, such as mobile rehab units, utility vehicles and drones. In the future, it will also launch health programs in the city to cut down unnecessary emergency room visits, according to the city.
City officials did not immediately respond to requests for Brewster’s written proposal to provide EMS services. The city’s announcement did not include information regarding the price of the contract, the length or the terms.
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©2019 MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, Mass.