Emergency services updates & a new ambulance
Rick Hartenstein—former selectman, current chair of the Emergency Services Commission, and chief of Stafford Fire Department No.1—updated the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on October 7, 2026, about the latest from the Emergency Services Commission. And it’s clear the town may need to make some tough decisions in the coming years.
Back in 2023, the commission was tasked with exploring the future of Advanced Life Saving (ALS) services, and the structure of current fire and ambulance departments. Last year, Hartenstein reported that survey responses indicated it was necessary to retain all three fire stations, and a preference for hiring a Chief who is not currently engaged with EMS in Stafford.
This time around, the Emergency Services Commission dove into questions around the Town’s ALS services, which provide a higher level of emergency medical care than Basic Life Support (BLS). Typically, ALS vehicles are staffed with paramedics rather than emergency medical technicians (EMTs). An EMT can perform CPR, provide wound care or administer oxygen, while a paramedic can administer medications, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and intubate patients or start intravenous (IV) lines.
According to Hartenstein’s report, the commission explored the possibilities for Stafford’s ALS services going forward. Currently, they are provided through mutual aid from Somers Fire Department and Trinity Health Care. The other options include contracting with a commercial ALS provider—though that turned out to not be financially viable. Stafford could also cross-train its own personnel as paramedics, but ambulance staffing is a concern.
Hartenstein said that in 2023, the Town responded to 1,100 911 calls. In 2026, EMS has already responded to 1,700 calls. He also noted that second and third calls often come in while the first call is still underway. Meanwhile, ALS trips to Hartford can take three hours.
First Selectman Bill Morrison—who is also a member of West Stafford Fire Department—quipped that “we are aging out” and that he brings the “average age down to 71.”
On a more serious note, he said, “A selectman’s job, on top of roads and bridges, is public safety.” He said the ambulance was carrying a heavy burden as about 74% of calls are EMS related.
Hartenstein noted that increasing the hourly wage for ambulance employees increased the Town’s ability to respond to calls—which as we’ve reported in the past also leads to collecting more revenue.
The gist is that call volume is going up, and volunteers are harder to come by. So now both fire departments get “toned” every time there is a call. The commission is also exploring whether the fire department needs to move to every call, or if the ambulance can respond to some on its own.
Support also remains among volunteers for a paid chief—who isn’t already involved in Stafford’s emergency services—to oversee all the departments.
Hartenstein’s report also outlined next steps:
Explore whether the fire department and ambulance service can combine their services
Explore paid personnel
Decide what level of training a paid employee would need
Determine how many firefighters/EMTs are needed on a shift
Determine the cost and how the Town of Stafford could support those costs
The BOS asked Hartenstein to come back for more regular quarterly reports as the commission continued its work.
A new ambulance in Stafford future
On a related note, Alex Moore, Stafford’s ambulance chief, reported on the need for a new ambulance. He said that the 2013 ambulance—purchased with the help of Stafford Motor Speedway—is past the end of its useful life. Generally, he says an ambulance should be replaced every 10 years—and his department would, ideally, replace a unit every five years.
Recently, the 2013 ambulance has seen an “extreme increase” in failures. Its latest repair would cost $15,000, according to Moore. So, it’s sitting in the shop while the department uses a loaner vehicle. Rather than buy an all new ambulance, which could cost $310,000, Stafford Ambulance is opting to enter into a lease purchase agreement for a new chassis with the “box” from the 2013 truck installed on top. Moore says that will cost about $115,000.
Morrison said the Town is still looking for the best lease purchase agreement available, but that the ambulance has budgeted $30,000 per year for the next five years to pay for the new ambulance. Some of that comes from revenue provided by the Speedway—which is also paying for the loaner vehicle.
