WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – The future of Wethersfield EMS services is up in the air.
The city is working on a deal with Aetna Ambulance Services, which could cause Wethersfield EMS to close, the assistant chief says.
Assistant Chief Robert Pelletier says if this plan is implemented, it will have a significant impact on people living in Wethersfield.
He says Wethersfield EMS has been serving the community at no cost to taxpayers for about 60 years.
In 2023 alone, Wethersfield EMS responded to more than 2,000 medical calls.
Pelletier says this new deal, which would make Aetna Ambulance Services the primary provider of EMS services, will likely lead to slower response times, and he says it will ultimately cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Pelletier says negotiations have been taking place behind closed doors for some time, and Wethersfield EMS didn't learn of the plan to suspend the nonprofit's designation as a “service area lead responder” until very late in the game.
“From here, we have to fight for our lives. We will have a meeting with the state and a hearing with the state on the 26th of this month to finally show our side,” Pelletier said.
Eyewitness News reached out to the Wethersfield city manager but has not received a response.
The City of Wethersfield posted a report on an emergency petition to suspend Wethersfield EMS services on Facebook.
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