ADAMS, Mass. – The towns of Adams, Cheshire, Hawley and Savoy are working through a transition plan to ensure continued coverage for their residents after hearing Adams Ambulance Service will close by the end of the year.


What You Need To Know

  • Adams Ambulance Service plans to close by the end of the year

  • The private EMS company said they were in "crisis mode" in September due to a lack of funding

  • Northern Berkshire EMS has been actively working to assume ambulance coverage in the four towns Adams Ambulance serves

  • The Adams and Cheshire Select Boards will host a joint public meeting on Monday, Nov. 20 in Cheshire for any further updates on their emergency services

“December 31st is the date that their employees have shared,” said Jay Green, Adams’ town administrator. “And we have heard from the State Department of Public Health and Office of Emergency Medical Services, which are the regulatory bodies, that they have told the state December 31st. We still can't get a straight answer as to when they'll be closing their doors. So, it's the obligation of Adams, Cheshire and Savoy to take steps needed to protect public safety.”

Adams Ambulance Service did not respond to a request for comment on this story as of Wednesday evening.

In September, Adams Ambulance said they were in “crisis mode” and turned to the communities they serve for funding. The private ambulance provider is not municipally funded and has been operating at a loss, saying there’s too much of a gap between reimbursements and costs.

Cheshire Board of Selectmen member Michelle Francesconi said there’s been multiple meetings with Adams Ambulance since 2022 to come up with financial solutions.

“Back in March of 2022 was the first joint meeting that the Adams ambulance had called,” Francesconi said. “We really didn't get the information that we needed and we didn't see any progress on their end. And fast forward to September of 2023 and all of a sudden it was the 11th hour and they were saying that the towns were the only funding source that they could potentially use to save the ambulance. We didn't have the opportunity to just provide funding.”

Northern Berkshire EMS, which already serves 10 communities, has been actively working to assume ambulance coverage in Adams, Cheshire and Savoy. Chief John Meaney said they’re working to improve their staffing, but has confidence they’ll be able to answer when called upon with continued mutual aid.

“We're happy to be able to help,” Meaney said. “This was this is a situation where we didn't want to be blindsided by this. I feel good about it now, but two or three weeks ago, if this was dropped in our lap, it would have been a much different situation. So, we've done some extensive planning, and we have a good contingency plan in place.”

“The most important, I think, takeaway for folks watching at home is very simply to know that when they call 911, they will have a qualified and licensed EMS provider at their doorstep,” Green said.

The Adams and Cheshire Select Boards will host a joint public meeting on Monday, Nov. 20 in Cheshire for any further updates on their emergency services.