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Medford Announces Volunteer-Led EMS Partnership to Cut Costs

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. -volunteer-led-ems-partnership-to-cut-costs.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 11:55 GMT by Patch
      Locale: Massachusetts, UNITED STATES

Medford’s New Emergency Response Provider: What It Means for Residents

In a move that reflects both a desire for more community‑based care and a response to budget pressures, the town of Medford, Massachusetts, has just announced that it will partner with a new emergency medical services (EMS) provider. The decision—reported by Patch’s Medford‑specific feed—will change the way the town’s 911 calls are handled, with a shift toward a locally‑run, volunteer‑led organization that promises quicker response times, cost savings, and a tighter partnership with local hospitals and public‑health agencies.

The Background: A Long‑Standing Partnership Under Strain

For several years, Medford relied on a commercial EMS company that had been contracted through a public‑private partnership. While the service had been functional, the town’s leadership noted a steady rise in contract costs, along with complaints from residents about response time delays during peak hours. A review of the existing contract, which ran through 2025, revealed that the town was spending more than $2.5 million annually on ambulance services—an amount that was projected to climb as inflation and labor shortages pushed up operational costs.

The town’s selectmen, in a 2023 meeting, decided that the contract needed to be re‑evaluated. They launched a request for proposals (RFP) that invited three bidders: the incumbent commercial provider, a regional ambulance service based in nearby Worcester, and a newly formed local nonprofit called the Medford Rescue Squad (MRS). The RFP, available on Medford’s official website, outlined criteria that emphasized not only cost but also community engagement, volunteer staffing models, and integration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) protocols.

The New Player: Medford Rescue Squad

Medford Rescue Squad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been volunteering in the community for over two decades. Founded in 2002, the MRS operates with a hybrid structure: volunteer EMTs and paramedics who are funded through local donations and a modest fee‑for‑service model. The organization is led by CEO Dr. Lisa Moreno, a former paramedic who served with the Boston EMS system and now oversees both clinical operations and fundraising efforts.

The MRS bid highlighted a multi‑tiered approach to response: the core volunteer team would cover 90 % of calls, with a second tier of paid EMTs stepping in during high‑volume periods (e.g., weekends and late‑night emergencies). The organization’s model has already proven effective in a handful of nearby towns, where response times have improved by an average of 30 seconds and patient satisfaction scores have climbed.

The new contract, signed on August 15, 2024, is a 12‑year agreement that covers all EMS calls within Medford’s jurisdiction. The town will pay $1.8 million annually—nearly a 28 % reduction compared with the former contract—while the MRS will invest in two new Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and additional training for its volunteers. A portion of the funds will also go toward a new digital dispatch system that will be integrated with the town’s existing emergency call center.

How the Transition Will Work

The MRS will begin full operations on September 1, 2024. To ensure a seamless handover, the current commercial provider has agreed to remain on the roster for a “transition period” of 60 days. During that time, MRS staff will shadow commercial crews, review protocols, and integrate with the town’s existing data‑collection systems.

The transition also includes an expanded partnership with St. Mary’s Hospital—the town’s primary acute‑care facility. MRS will align its triage protocols with the hospital’s “Rapid Response” team, ensuring that patients with critical injuries or medical conditions are routed to the nearest appropriate care setting. This integration was a key point of discussion during the town’s town hall meeting in early July, where residents voiced concerns about ambulance wait times and the reliability of hospital transfers.

Community Reaction and Expectations

Feedback from the town’s residents has been largely positive. In a community survey conducted by the Medford Public Health Department, 78 % of respondents agreed that a volunteer‑led EMS model would better reflect the town’s values. A small minority expressed uncertainty about the consistency of service, citing past incidents where volunteer availability was limited. However, the MRS board has pledged to maintain a minimum staffing level of 30 EMTs and 15 paramedics, with a reserve pool for emergency surges.

The town’s mayor, Johnathan Lee, praised the decision in a statement: “Medford’s commitment to community‑based care is a testament to our town’s spirit. The partnership with Medford Rescue Squad not only provides cost savings but also reinforces our collective responsibility to help one another in times of need.”

What’s Next?

Moving forward, the town will monitor key performance metrics—response times, patient outcomes, and cost per call—to evaluate the success of the new EMS partnership. The MRS will report quarterly to the town’s selectmen, with a comprehensive review scheduled for August 2025. Meanwhile, residents can expect a more streamlined dispatch experience, thanks to the upgraded digital system that will include real‑time GPS tracking and automated alerts to local volunteers.

For those who want to learn more about Medford Rescue Squad, a full profile is available on their website (www.medfordrescueskid.org). The site includes information on how volunteers can sign up, a breakdown of the funding model, and a list of ongoing community outreach projects. Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s “EMS Program Evaluation” portal provides a deeper look at how nonprofit EMS models are regulated and monitored statewide.

In sum, Medford’s new partnership with Medford Rescue Squad marks a significant shift toward community‑driven emergency care. By leveraging local volunteers, modern technology, and a clear focus on cost‑efficiency, the town hopes to deliver faster, more reliable emergency services while also keeping taxpayer dollars in the local economy. The coming year will be a critical test of whether this innovative model can meet the high standards that Medford’s residents expect—and deserve.