The Training Division of County Ambulance has achieved accreditation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (MDPH-OEMS), allowing the return of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training to the Central and Southern Berkshire County area. This type of training has been absent in the area since the state DPH began requiring accreditation for training institutions in 2005.
County Ambulance has also announced that it will be the exclusive provider of chaircar and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation for the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA). The BRTA initiated a request for proposals to provide the service earlier this year, which resulted in inquiries from throughout the county. County Ambulance was selected from among four transportation vendors who submitted proposals to be the sole provider of para-transit service for the BRTA.
The Massachusetts DPH instituted the accreditation process to ensure that emergency medical technician training conducted in Massachusetts was of a quality and consistency that ensure competent EMTs are certified. This process also ensures training institutions continually evaluate the quality of their training and seek ways to improve the training provided. Accreditation is valid for three years at which time a revaluation of the training institution is performed.
“Accreditation by Massachusetts DPH set a high standard for EMT training and we are extremely pleased to have earned this accreditation,†said Brian K. Andrews, President of County Ambulance and Training Program Director for the ambulance service. “This accreditation means the return of long absent EMT training in the Central and Southern Berkshire area, which has been a stumbling block to the infusion of new EMTs into our system and which has especially impacted volunteer ambulance services.â€
The Massachusetts DPH examines resources, processes, outputs, and outcomes of a training institution as part of the evaluation process. Accreditation involves an extensive application process that includes the review of the many documents and policies that an institution must have in place. The evaluation process culminates with an on-site visit by a team from the DPH who meet with staff and evaluate training materials, including equipment, while also conducting a review of the training process.
County Ambulance will immediately institute training programs and has announced the first such program, EMT-Basic for November 2, 2006. Interested applicants should call County Ambulance at 413-499-2527 or visit the office at 175 Wahconah St. in Pittsfield.
“The accreditation process was only the beginning,†said Andrews “We will be constantly be striving for improvement and will be looking to be the leaders in emergency training in the region to drive that effort.â€
In regard to the paratransit services for the BRTA, County Ambulance had contracted with the transit agency for over twenty years to provide these services with multiple vendors. “The demand for this service has exploded in the last twenty years and the BRTA felt there was a need to contract with one vendor to better manage the cost while maintaining high quality service,†said Andrews.
Proposals received by the BRTA were evaluated by a committee that included BRTA Advisory Board Members and representatives from area organizations serving people with disabilities. Based upon established criteria, the evaluation committee selected County Ambulance as the firm with the most qualified proposal. Evaluation included review of an extensive proposal detailing how County Ambulance would provide the service as well as an oral presentation by Andrews and members of his management staff.
“As a leader in transportation services for our special needs population in Berkshire County, our service was already providing the majority of transports for the BRTA and with a high rate of quality. I am greatly pleased that the BRTA has selected County Ambulance as the sole vendor of this important service,†said Andrews.
As a result of the exclusive contract with the BRTA, County Ambulance has significantly invested in new equipment and personnel. The company recently purchased five new chaircars to provide the increased number of transports that are required. County has also added four full-time and two part-time staff and may add additional full-time personnel as the program continues to expand.
County Ambulance is a locally-owned and family operated ambulance service in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The company has been in operation since 1982 and is currently the largest provider of both ambulance and chaircar service in the Berkshire County area.
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Site 9 has Another Interested Buyer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Economic Development Authority held its shortest meeting on Thursday.
Coakley said they have received a purchase and sale agreement but before signing, there have to be assurances that the company has the financial requirements to construct the building.
He was to have another meeting with the company to go over questions on the purchase and sale agreement, as well as environmental and legal questions. Coakley said the company is still very interested and is trying to raise funds for its project.
He said Milltown Way and Innovation Place are in the process of being accepted, and the city will take over those streets. They are working with Milltown to make sure they are OK with the process and if it has any questions.
In other news, an electric energy company is interested in leasing Site 7 for six months. This entity hopes to use it for storage of shipping containers, staging, and parking for crews installing smart meters throughout the city. The lease would be $3,100 monthly, but the board could not vote on Thursday as it did not have a quorum.
Coakley said they have received a purchase and sale agreement but before signing, there have to be assurances that the company has the financial requirements to construct the building.
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On July 6, Gertrude Willey celebrated her 100th birthday, but after more than three decades of volunteering in her community, she says staying active is the secret to her longevity.
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The annual "I Am a Part of Art" exhibit is the organization’s biggest exhibit of the year, this year featuring over 300 works of art by 250 artists with disabilities, spanning the Lichtenstein Center and Clark Art Institute. click for more
A housing production plan helps create a pathway for municipalities to build housing through specific goals while contributing public input and a survey of community needs. click for more
