Since 2013 Pembroke has enjoyed a productive relationship with Allenstown in providing a high quality, paramedic-based ambulance service to both communities through an intermunicipal agreement. In August the Pembroke Board of Selectmen (PBOS) unexpectedly received notice from the Allenstown Board of Selectmen (ABOS) that they no longer wished to continue the agreement after July 2025. The current service with Tri Town (TT) is of the highest quality, the gold standard in the state, made available to us at reasonable cost. We operate a 24/7 paramedic service which is not the case in most communities. Most communities service with fire-based EMTs and many struggle finding reliable, skilled staff. These communities rely on mutual aid which impacts time to respond and overburdens and pushes costs to other communities and their taxpayers.

The ABOS plan is a fire-based EMT service that, at their own admission, doesn’t offer the same quality service provided by Tri Town. Residents may not be aware of this decision as it was made mostly in non-public sessions by the ABOS. Additionally, the TT executive board analysis suggests the budget for the ABOS plan miscalculates costs and residents should expect higher costs. Despite the invitation to join the plan for reduced EMS services, the PBOS politely declined and is moving to fully absorb the Tri Town service and its costs. The PBOS feels it’s important for residents of both communities to fully understand this change and encourages residents to reach out their elected officials for more information.

Karen Yeaton

Pembroke

]]>