The Finance Committee meeting for the Town of Yarmouth on January 25, 2025, focused on the integration of fire and emergency medical services (EMS) within the community. A key discussion point was whether to separate these two essential services into distinct departments.

Committee members explored the potential benefits and drawbacks of maintaining a combined fire and EMS service. One member noted that the community must decide if it desires a higher level of service, which would involve firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) being trained to perform both roles. This approach allows for flexibility, as firefighters can respond to medical emergencies when ambulances are unavailable, ensuring that residents receive timely care.

Concerns were raised about the implications of separating the two services. It was suggested that doing so could create additional management challenges and require separate training programs for each department. The current model, where firefighters also serve as EMTs, was defended as effective in providing comprehensive care to the community.

Additionally, a comment was made regarding the frequency of ambulance calls to facilities near the hospital, indicating a need for further data to understand this trend better.

The discussions highlighted the ongoing evaluation of service delivery in Yarmouth, emphasizing the importance of community input in shaping the future of emergency services. The committee's deliberations will likely influence future decisions on how best to structure these critical services for the town.