By Jaime Cone
Brattleboro Reformer
WHITINGHAM, Vt. — The Whitingham Ambulance Service, providing emergency medical care and transport for Halifax, Whitingham and Readsboro, has recently purchased a new ambulance.
The $140,000, two-wheel drive vehicle was bought brand new and is state-of-the-art, said ambulance service treasurer Peter Madden.
The ambulance was funded through the Whitingham service s reserve for depreciation fund and a 20 percent grant from the Vermont Department of Health.
The new ambulance has already been out on two calls, Madden said. It will be the primary emergency vehicle, with a second ambulance equipped with four-wheel drive standing by in case of inclement weather or high demand.
Madden said it’s important to have two vehicles in case they are both needed at the same time.
“It doesn’t happen very often, but it has happened several times a year,” he said.
The new ambulance replaces a 1998 two-wheel drive model. Given past history, Madden expects it will last at least 10 years.
The Whitingham Ambulance Service rushes patients to one of several hospitals, including Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, North Adams Regional Hospital in North Adams, Mass., or Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Mass.
Where a patient goes depends on where he or she is located, Madden said. If it’s about equidistant, then it’s the patient’s choice.
He added that the ambulance service is always looking to recruit new emergency medical technicians or first responders. Training is available for certification.
Anyone who is interested can call the ambulance office at 802-368-2900 for details and an application form.
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