This letter is to confirm my resignation from the Harvard Ambulance Service.
The current Board of Selectmen has decided to dismiss the input provided for the town’s benefit by those of us in the field, and in doing so, in my opinion, has diminished the dedication and hard work put in by Harvard’s volunteer EMTs. The selectmen ignored past data collection, failed to honor verbal agreements between the ambulance squad and previous board members, and denied the residents of Harvard the opportunity to vote on the important issue of ambulance billing. As a taxpayer I understand why billing, on the surface, seems like a good idea; however there is a long-term “cost” that goes along with it, which this board has been unwilling to recognize or research.
The Harvard Ambulance Service is unique in how it operates, and because of the cadet program, cannot be compared to other EMS services, with the exception of Bolton’s, which has recently had to hire some full-time personnel to fill in gaps due to diminished volunteerism. I’m afraid this is where Harvard is now headed.
I believe the dismissive, disrespectful treatment received by our ambulance directors is inexcusable. Ambulance squad members are simply volunteers who have given hours of their time to run a 24/7 ambulance service for the town. The hours they put in are not confined to running calls, and are nonbillable.
My sense of volunteerism has taken a hit, which I am unable to get past. Therefore it is time for me to move on.
I would like to thank the Harvard Police Department, Harvard Fire Department, and other Harvard EMTs—I have learned so much from all of them.
It has been an honor to serve the residents of Harvard.
Pete Messina
Littleton Road
