The town and the Kent Volunteer Fire Department have come up with a great stop-gap measure to provide coverage for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls for help. KVFD is paying for a company to provide paid EMTs on shifts to cover calls, and the town is reimbursing those costs. The current budget is $230,000 and there are concerns being raised that costs are rising only 4 months into the budget year.

I worry that the financial implications of this program of paying for EMTs is not sustainable long-term. I know from my 21 years as an active member of KVFD that the services provided by emergency members who volunteer their time are so important. As the KVFD members age, and difficulties mount to attract new volunteers, the base of Kent EMTs is shrinking. I left KVFD as an active firefighter 10 years ago and am now a veteran member.

The town has to work closely with KVFD to come up with a plan for the future and investigate all the options, including regionalization because we are not the only town facing these concerns. However, Kent is different because we have large facilities that do require a high number of responses, including High Watch and the three independent schools, as well as an aging resident population that will continue to have health emergencies. It will be a very difficult conversation due to the fierce independence felt by towns and fire departments, but collaboration is important for a path to the future.