Emergency medical services in Yarmouth are facing significant staffing challenges, as highlighted in the recent Finance Committee meeting. The discussion centered on the critical need for adequate personnel to ensure effective response to emergencies, particularly in high-acuity situations.

Currently, each ambulance is staffed with three personnel—two paramedics and one EMT—allowing for comprehensive patient care during transport. However, the demands of emergency medicine require substantial equipment and personnel to manage complex situations, especially when moving incapacitated individuals from difficult locations like basements or second floors. The committee noted that many communities supplement ambulance services with fire engines to assist in these scenarios, a practice Yarmouth aims to minimize by maintaining a robust ambulance crew.

The meeting also revealed the pressing need for a minimum of 14 firefighters to safely respond to a residential fire, emphasizing the urgency of timely intervention as modern fires burn faster and hotter. With a significant percentage of ambulances often out on calls, the department frequently relies on mutual aid from neighboring communities to meet these staffing requirements.

In a positive note, the committee reported a steady increase in billable ambulance calls over the past three years, indicating a growing demand for services. This trend underscores the importance of addressing staffing and resource challenges to ensure the safety of both residents and emergency responders in Yarmouth.