History of Belchertown Emergency Medical Services Department

~1936~
The Belchertown Fire Department purchased and equipped an enclosed truck for general emergency work. The truck was made available to the townspeople without charge for ambulance or emergency cases. The emergency truck carried the following equipment: a flood light outfit, stretcher, first aid kit, oxygen tanks and inhaler, splints, blankets, flares, and gas masks.

During the year twelve men have taken a first aid course under the American Red Cross to become certified as Red Cross First Aid Men. The department has also become a certified Red Cross First Aid and Emergency station. (Submitted by Milton C. Baggs, Fire Chief, for the Belchertown annual report.)
The Fire Department ran the ambulance / rescue truck from 1936 through 1953. In 1954 the Belchertown Police Department took over the ambulance service. The total number of calls for the 17 years totals 231 calls. (All information taken from Belchertown Annual Town reports 1936 – 1954.)

~1953~
In 1953 an ambulance was bought by the Civil Defense Agency from the Metropolitan Police and turned over to the local police department to run and maintain for the people of Belchertown. $2,700.00 was appropriated for maintenance of the new Police Ambulance. (Submitted by Nelson J. Hill, Chief of Police, for the Belchertown annual report.)

~1962~
All members of the police Department have successfully completed the Red Cross First Aid Course in accordance with the new law qualifying them for ambulance duty. According to town hall records, ambulances were purchased in 1960, 1964, and 1972. A 1959 Cadillac ambulance was in service. The ambulance was housed at the old highway garage on Jabish Street.

~1971~
A new ambulance was purchased with federal funds and police association funds. The new Chevy Suburban ambulance was to be put into service by July 1, 1972.

~1973~
In 1972, Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health mandated that all ambulance attendants be trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. Prior to that the men were trained in first aid only. Several men were trained with six more being trained for that year. In 1975, The EMT’s took their first refresher training for two more years of ambulance service.

~1986~
A new ambulance was purchased. A 1986 ford ambulance cab and chassis box van was put into service. (The vehicle is currently used by the animal control department). Unknown timeframe a 1982 van Ambulance was purchased from Palmer Ambulance Service and was used for back up.

~1996~
A new ambulance was purchased from the Marque ambulance company and put into service as a front line ambulance. There were many updated items in the new ambulance.

~2000~
The Belchertown EMS dept. was separated from the police dept, and is now a stand alone third service for the town. A full time Director was hired along with one full time and part time EMT. The department purchased a 2000 Ford F450 AEV box ambulance to be put into service in Sept. 2000.

The old police Station at 9 East Walnut Street became the new home for EMS. The new ambulance to is to be housed in the Fire Station behind the EMS Dept. The old garage on Jabish Street is no longer sufficient.

~2001~
In May of 2001 another full time and part time EMT was hired to staff the ambulance Monday through Friday 8 am until 12 midnight. The service now operates at the intermediate level. The rest of the time was an on call basis with EMT’s responding from home.

A 1986 Chevy Blazer from military surplus was purchased by the Belchertown EMS Association and restored with mechanical & bodywork and a new paint job. The association donated the Blazer to the town to be licensed as a class 5 ambulance. The vehicle was used for access to off road emergencies.

~2003~
Belchertown EMS operates at the paramedic level.

~2004~
A 2003 Ford F450 AEV box ambulance was purchased to add to the fleet. The 1996 ambulance was moved to 3rd out and eventually retired in 2006.

~2006~
The midnight shift became staffed with EMT’s and Paramedics on duty. We are now staffed 24/7 with two members at the station at all times. Currently we have one full time Director and 6 full time EMT’S and Paramedics with 12 EMT’s and Paramedics working part time.