LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town Manager Paul Sieloff is looking to help the ambulance service by training a current part-time employee as an emergency medical technician.

 

The Selectmen approved funding from the Ambulance Enterprise Account for the EMT training of Thomas Kasuba, who is a part-time seasonal worker with the Highway Department. The idea is that he would be available while working as a laborer to handle ambulance calls during the days. 

 

"I'd rather have someone like him working than paying someone to sit down at the fire station," Sieloff said. 

 

Town officials have been trying to figure out a way to save the ambulance service, which has been struggling financially. The service is funded through an enterprise account which derives its revenue from billings to both insurance companies and users for services. 

 

But, there are few emergency medical technicians to cover all shifts, especially during the day. By not fielding those calls, the service doesn't have enough revenue to cover the costs of certifications and trainings. The service runs on a $60,000 budget but revenues have fallen way short. Another impact on the revenue stream is some $30,000 in unpaid bills from patients — insurance companies will only pay so much. 

 

The Fire Department has had little luck recruiting new EMTs to increase the number of calls it can take. The town has recently upped the stipend for calls from $10 to $20 in hopes to attract more interest. But the EMTs on the Fire Department opted to give those stipends back to help save the service while fees were increased.

 

At one point years ago, the town tried to hire full-time EMTs but the call volume didn't justify keeping the positions. Sieloff's approach is a hybrid in which Kasuba would be working as a Highway Department employee but excused to cover service calls for the ambulance. Fire Chief Charlie Durfee said to goal is to help increase the number of daytime responses.

 

"We have money in the budget to pay him a day or two a week starting early next year," Sieloff said. 

 

Sieloff said he approached all of the other Highway Department and Town Hall employees and only Kasuba came forward. Kasuba would remain a part-time employee but provide some additional coverage for emergency medical services. 

 

The Selectmen, however, are worried that the move is creating a new job that has not been advertised. 

 

"You are setting this job up for this one person. There are people who are qualified who won't get a shot," said Selectman Henry "Hank" Sayers. 

 

Sayers said there may be existing EMTs currently working day jobs who could be interested in taking on a few days as the hybrid employee. Kasuba is on the Fire Department and training is provided for firefighters and EMTs, so authorizing the training isn't an issue, Sayers said. But, he still wants the position to be advertised in case someone else is interested.

 

"It's being set up so he can do it. It should be an advertised position," Chairman John Goerlach said. 

 

Sieloff responded, "I would offer it to existing EMTs who want to work during the day" as well as advertising the position. 

 

Goerlach also questioned whether there was a mechanism to ensure that if the town is paying for the training, the EMT stays working for the town. Sieloff said there are some agreements in the works but he isn't sure if there is something specifically on the books. The Police Department does have policies that require an officer to stay for a specific period of time if the town pays for the academy. 

 

Sieloff said in this case, there isn't much of a concern of that because Kasuba is a "Lanesborough person" who is expected to remain on the job for some time. He will take the class through County Ambulance next week.