Alamo stays in town of Pawling as board negotiates new contract

[pfdfirefighter01 1]

little old news, but thought people would like to know

from the Pawling News Chronicle- Jan 3, 2008

In the Pawling town board's final meeting before the new councilmen take office Jan. 2, coverage by Alamo EMS was extended an extra month to give the new board time to negotiate with ambulance providers for a contract in 2008. The extra month of coverage, which will carry the town into the end of January, will cost about $27,000, prorated from the town's 2007 Alamo contract of $272,252, which took effect April 1 after Empire Ambulance, which had been operating in the town without a contract since December 2006, pulled out of Pawling, citing financial losses as the reason.

Skyrocketing ambulance costs have been a growing concern for municipalities throughout the area, with providers tripling their rates due in part to increases in fuel costs. In 2005, Pawling's contract with Alamo cost the town $127,000. This year, according to Councilmen Bill Johnson, quotes have already come in well above the even $300,000 the town has budgeted for emergency services for the coming year.

He said, however, he remains optimistic the board can negotiate a contract that's within budget.

"I have some ideas that should bring costs within the $300,000 the town has budgeted," said Johnson, who asked not to divulge too much information regarding the negotiations.

He said though that Alamo is among the providers being considered.

Though the board has been involved in discussions with other towns for a potential intermunicipal agreement through SEDAC, a consortium seeking a single ambulance provider to serve the towns of Beekman, Union Vale, Dover and Pawling, Johnson said results are a long way off. Meanwhile, he said he looks forward to working with the new board to negotiate a new contract.

Can't wait to see what the town decides to do. Doesnt look like its going to be cheap but we all know that nothing is cheap anymore.

[pfdfirefighter01 1]

Just to let people know, I was told from my chief that as of February 1st, Northern Dutchess paramedics will be our new ambulance service.

[smwells 7]

Just to let people know, I was told from my chief that as of February 1st, Northern Dutchess paramedics will be our new ambulance service.

Northern Dutchess is Alamo or vice-versa...

As part of the Healthquest agreement about 1-2 months back.. it was discussed on here...

http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopi...rthern+dutchess

[pfdfirefighter01 1]

as of right now, they are still two different companies. Eventually they will merge but thats still not for a few months.

[Goose 188]

as of right now, they are still two different companies. Eventually they will merge but thats still not for a few months.

your talking about semantics, nothing is going to change youll probably still have the same people there just a different uniform and paint scheme.

[NWFDMedic 58]

your talking about semantics, nothing is going to change youll probably still have the same people there just a different uniform and paint scheme.

It's not really just semantics. Although eventually you may get some of the staff that you had, as of Feb. 1, you will have all new people unless they work for both companies. I would imagine the proposed merger is still 6 months to 18 months from completion. It makes good business sense for the NDP to take over these contracts because after the merger is complete, all contracts signed with Alamo will not be binding but contracts signed with NDP will continue to be in effect.