Press Release - For Immediate Release- EMS Continuity

For additional information, please contact:  

Jay Green, Town Administrator, Adams  (413) 743-8300 x. 100  [email protected]

Jennifer Morse, Town Administrator, Cheshire  (413) 743-1690 x. 100  [email protected]

For Immediate Release 

Adams, MA and Cheshire, MA – November 14, 2023: The Towns of Adams and Cheshire have yet to receive official communication from the Adams Ambulance Service Board of Directors about the pending closure of Adams Ambulance Service.  We read the news about the closure over the weekend on social media from the Adams Ambulance employees who stated they were told of a December 31 closure. We have reached out to Adams Ambulance Service requesting an official statement regarding the closure and to date have not received a response. As a result, we have been in contact with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) to support our communities as we work through a transition plan to ensure continuity of emergency medical services.

Earlier today, town officials in Adams and Cheshire met with public safety officials and are coordinating with Northern Berkshire EMS to assume EMS operations in our communities. In the event that Adams Ambulance closes their doors in December or earlier, as Adams Ambulance has indicated to DPH that an earlier closure may be the case, we are working to ensure a succession plan is ready.  As part of our conversations, a couple of locations for Northern Berkshire EMS have been identified to house an ambulance and crew.  These viable locations will go through the regulatory processes in order to finalize a location that works best; and the necessary State agencies have ensured our communities an expedited process to maintain continuity of service.

Northern Berkshire EMS is actively working with Berkshire County Dispatch on a radio and communication services plan that will not cause a delay in response time for dispatch.  In discussions about call volume, Northern Berkshire EMS has indicated that the call volume will be manageable for our communities, although they will be looking to hire more personnel.  We will also be in contact with our existing mutual aid agencies to ensure the current level of coverage will be maintained. Residents in Adams and Cheshire can be assured that when 911 is called, an ambulance will respond.

As this continues to be a dynamic situation, the Board of Selectmen in Adams and Cheshire will host a joint public meeting on Monday, November 20 at 6 pm at Cheshire Town Offices Assembly Space, 191 Church Street, Cheshire.  Officials from Adams Ambulance Service have been invited to attend this public meeting as have officials from Northern Berkshire EMS.  The public is encouraged to attend this meeting to hear any further updates about emergency services in the towns of Adams and Cheshire.