Middlesex Health to Assume 24/7 EMS Responsibilities in Durham

DURHAM — On January 3, 2022, Middlesex Heath will become the basic life support ambulance provider for the town of Durham. This means that Middlesex will assume responsibility for all 911 ambulance coverage in the town.

“This arrangement is in the best interest of the town,” says First Selectman Laura Francis. “In recent years, our town and Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corps Inc. have faced significant challenges with providing 24/7 ambulance service. We approached Middlesex for help and have the utmost confidence in the health system’s ability to care for our residents.”

Middlesex Health is not new to town. It already provides paramedic level service to the town of Durham. However, Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corps is currently responsible for providing basic life support level service, and that is what will change in 2022.

Earlier this year, Middlesex applied for the basic life support level primary service area agreement with support from both the town of Durham and the Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corps. While its application awaits state approval, the new arrangement will still move forward. Middlesex will assume its new responsibilities after the start of the new year under a memorandum of understanding until the arrangement is formally approved by the Department of Public Health.

This new arrangement means that Middlesex Health Emergency Medical Services will now be stationed in Durham around the clock — ready to help when needed. The assets of Durham Volunteer Ambulance Association will be transferred to Middlesex to ensure that it has the resources it needs to properly and safely care for the community.

The town of Durham will not incur ongoing costs associated with this arrangement, and patients will not automatically be taken to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Hospital destination can be impacted by several things, including, but not limited to, the patient’s choice, their condition and current state protocols.  

“We are a community health system, and we care deeply about our neighbors,” says Middlesex Health President and CEO Vincent G. Capece, Jr. “It is our honor to help the residents of Durham should they need it. Our goal is to always provide high-quality, compassionate care, and we will do just that in Durham.”

Caring for Durham around the clock means that Middlesex Health Emergency Medical Services is expanding. Interested EMTs should visit MiddlesexHealth.org/Careers to view open positions and apply.

For more information about this new arrangement, visit MiddlesexHealth.org/DurhamEMS. For members of the public who have questions, please call 860-358-6081.

Contact Information

Public Relations Director
Amanda Falcone
860-358-6980
amanda.falcone@midhosp.org