The Harvard Press article, “Fire and ambulance departments request merger, recommend shared building,” by Joan Eliyesil, in last Friday’s paper gives the impression that Harvard Ambulance Service and Harvard Fire Department wish to merge with the intent of transitioning to an all full-time service over the coming years. This isn’t our intent. The leadership of both HFD and HAS value our call volunteer services. This model allows us to provide a high level of service at a relatively low cost to the town, resulting in a significant value to our residents. Additionally, it has enabled Harvard to provide multiple resources (fire and EMS) to mutual aid calls.
We intend to maintain our neighbors-helping-neighbors model for as long as we can. However, we, as leaders of the organizations and town, need to recognize that a downward trend exists in the availability of volunteer first responders, and the Ambulance Service has experienced significant attrition in recent years, along with an upward trend of calls for service. Our statement about hiring eight to 10 full-time firefighters-EMTs was in response to a question from the Select Board about a worst-case scenario. We feel it is important for us to build an organization that is well-positioned to incorporate additional full-time staff should it become necessary, but we are committed to maintaining our call-volunteer model for as long as it is viable. It’s worth noting that all three of our full-time staff started their own EMS/fire careers as volunteers and strongly believe in the strength of a volunteer-based system.
Will Stevenson, acting director
Harvard Ambulance Service
Editor’s Note: In our June 9 story, we reported: “The town currently has two full-time firefighter-EMTs. Stevenson said eight to 10 would be needed to staff both services 24/7. He said the combined department staff would continue to be augmented by volunteers, and added that volunteer firefighters would not be required to attain certification as an EMT and vice versa.”
