By Sandy Meindersma
WorcesterTelegram & Gazette
HOLDEN, Mass. — With the move to its new digs a month away, the Holden Fire Department has many things to celebrate.
Since the department launched its own advanced life support ambulance service on July 1, 2009, Holden Firefighter/EMTs have responded to 1,800 ambulance calls, generating more than $500,000 in revenue for the town.
“Sixty-eight percent of the calls were the advanced life support,” EMS coordinator Russell Hall said. “In putting this service together, we looked for local guys with many years of experience, which has made our first year so successful.
“As a town department, we are committed to taking care of the residents, and not just worrying about the bottom line.”
In addition to establishing a town-operated ambulance service, the department has beefed up its staff considerably, going from seven full-time firefighters to sixteen full-timers, who staff the station around the clock.
As part of the upgrade in staffing, the department has sent five firefighters to the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, including firefighter/EMT Mathew Tadry, who graduated in September as the recipient of the Richard N. Bangs Award. This award is given to the outstanding student in each class, based on his achievements in both academic exams and practical skill applications.
Fire Chief Jack Chandler said he was most pleased with how smoothly the department was able to start up the ambulance service.
“We did a lot of planning, estimating and guesstimating,” Chief Chandler said. “We hit 95 percent of what we thought we would do, which is amazing.”
Chief Chandler also announced that the Regional Community Emergency Response Team has received a $4,000 grant that will be used to fund equipment for the team.
“They receive no funding from the town, so it will be used for fluorescent vests, flashlights, and to put an Army surplus van on the road,” he said.
Tonight, the department is sponsoring a “Weather Related Survival Skills” class at 6 p.m. in the Holden Senior Center. The class is will emphasize safety and self-reliance and address communications, portable generators, keeping warm, cold houses and burst pipes, making a plan, emergency kits, and emergency shelters.
“Now that we have more full-time people, our goal is to do more community outreach, like CPR classes,” Chief Chandler said.
Copyright 2010 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.