By Micahel Hartwell
Sentinel and Enterprise
ASHBURNHAM, Mass. — A new paramedic will be included in the proposed town budget for next year, although Fire Chief Paul Zbikowski and Advisory Board Chairman Bill Johnson disagree over whether this will decrease night response times.
The Fire Department guarantees 24-hour coverage for ambulance calls by using a mix of full-time employees, on-call employees, volunteers for large emergencies and “per-diem” employees who receive hourly wages but no benefits.
Zbikowski said staffing has diminished over the years and the additional paramedic in the proposed budget, who will also be a firefighter, would restore a full-time position the department cut in 2008.
Full story: Paramedic proposed for Ashburnham