AMHERST — More ambulances will be able to serve Amherst and surrounding communities during peak times this fall and next spring with an annual contribution from the University of Massachusetts announced Monday.
UMass officials say they will provide Amherst $80,000 to pay for the expanded ambulance service in the fall and spring semesters, the fourth full academic year it has offered this support.
“Again, they’ve stepped up to the plate, ” said Fire Chief Walter “Tim” Nelson.
The money will allow Nelson to have 13 firefighter paramedics on duty on what are projected to be busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. All five ambulances and a paramedic-level fire truck can run at those times.
“This means we can provide services to the town and the surrounding service zone,” Nelson said.
Typically the department only has nine firefighter paramedics and emergency medical technicians on duty most weekend nights.
The $80,000 supplements the money UMass provides in a per-call formula included in a strategic partnership agreement renewed last December. Under that, UMass paid $400,411 during the 2015-2016 school year.
Nancy Buffone, associate vice chancellor for university relations at UMass, said in a statement that the additional contribution is about being a good neighbor and ensuring medical protection is available for all residents.
“By providing this additional funding for weekend ambulance coverage, we can help the Amherst Fire Department continue its crucial mission during peak demand times,” Buffone said.
The university began paying to cover the expanded service in the spring of 2013.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.