WINCHESTER, N.H. — Winchester town officials are exploring a plan to contract with Cheshire EMS for all of Winchester’s emergency medical services, Selectboard Chair Ben Kilanski said on Nov. 21.
Kilanski emphasized that shutting down Winchester Ambulance, which is staffed by about eight part-time employees, is only under consideration and no decision has been made. Winchester already relies on Cheshire EMS for supplemental part-time coverage as needed, The Keene Sentinel reported.
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Cheshire EMS Chief Mark Kreamer said Winchester officials approached him in August, and the agency proposed a $199,750 one-year contract with two addendums.
One contract addendum calls for Cheshire EMS to buy at least one of Winchester’s two ambulances, reducing the $199,750 price and allowing crews to staff the town from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Kreamer said, adding the agency is also open to purchasing the second unit. The second would have Cheshire EMS establish a base in Winchester, which could support 24-hour staffing.
Kreamer said Cheshire EMS is ready to assume Winchester’s coverage without added strain and stressed that his main goal is ensuring the town has reliable EMS care, whether through Cheshire EMS or Winchester’s own service.
Cheshire EMS is the primary EMS provider for seven Cheshire County towns and assists several others, Kreamer said. Mutual aid calls are up about 200% from this time last year, and Cheshire crews frequently respond in Winchester and Keene.
