Welcome
This page is different from all the rest - instead of all the content coming from us, it comes from our community. This is your chance to ask us questions and get the facts on current issues.
We started the page off by including a few common questions that we've heard around Town; however, we need your help to continue.
Submit a question below and check back in a few days for a response.
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This information ensures that the questions submitted are coming from within our Town or surrounding areas. We will not post this information without your permission.
Community Forum: Question and Answer
Q: Is it true that the Ambulance Association is charging the North Stonington Agricultural Fair to provide ambulance coverage?
A: No! The Ambulance Association gladly provides this service at no charge; in fact, we look forward to it. We have never, and presumably will never, charge the North Stonington Fair for coverage. Any donation received from the Fair Committee is greatly appreciated, but certainly not required or asked of them.
Q: What was North Stonington Ambulance's involvement with that call in Stonington for a man struck by lightning?
A: This call took place in the Borough of Stonington and was handled by the Stonington Ambulance Corps, our neighboring ambulance provider. More information can be found in local media sources.
Q: I read an article where the First Selectman was quoted as saying "I'm not paying them to sleep " [The Day, 5/1/05] , referring to the North Stonington Ambulance EMTs. What is your response to this?
A: This question has a long answer and a short answer. The long answer was recently provided to the Public Safety Complex Committee in the form of a memo. Please take a look at the content, as it answers many questions concerning the staffing and operations of North Stonington Ambulance.
The "short" answer is the following: our paid EMTs are all per-diem employees with no benefits; the average wage is $11.50/hr. A typical employee covering a 12-hour night shift arrives at work around 6:00pm, after leaving their full-time job. To expect this employee to remain awake for 12-hours, then return back to his/her full-time job in the morning is unreasonable and unsafe. In addition, we consistently maintain a responding time of less than 60-seconds, day or night.
The only solution is to hire a group of full-time employees (with benefits) to cover the night shifts; these employees could be mandated to remain awake. However, this would come at a substantial cost and provide no clear benefit.
Also - please keep in mind that this is standard practice for emergency services. In fact, it is the entire reason behind fire poles and bunking quarters in nearly every firehouse - paid and volunteer.
