MaineHealth is proud to announce the rebranding of its emergency medical services, following a significant investment to expand these critical services across its system.
NorthStar EMS and Paramedic Alliance for Community Emergencies will soon be known as MaineHealth Emergency Medical Services . This update underscores our dedication to delivering top-notch emergency care under a unified brand, with no changes to the high-quality services in our communities.
NorthStar, part of MaineHealth Franklin Hospital, has been a beacon of emergency medical services since 2005, covering 1.7 million acres from five key bases: Livermore, Farmington, Phillips, Rangeley, and Carrabassett Valley. Staffed by 75 EMTs and paramedics, NorthStar handles around 7,500 calls annually across 29 towns. NorthStar’s services in the Greater Franklin County community include community paramedicine programs, educational outreach, and collaborations with local organizations to enhance emergency response capabilities. None of NorthStar’s services will change or be disrupted by the name change and rebranding.
Affiliated with MaineHealth Stephens Hospital, PACE has been a reliable emergency care provider in Norway, South Paris, Paris, Otisfield, Harrison, Hebron, West Paris, Woodstock, Greenwood, Newry, and Milton Plantation. Known for its prompt and quality response, PACE maintains 24/7 coverage year-round, ensuring that communities receive continuous emergency support. PACE’s team of paramedics and emergency medical technicians is committed to positive community activities, good stewardship of resources, and providing respectful, excellent patient care. The service participates in the Vial of Life program, allowing quick access to critical medical information during emergencies. Additionally, PACE routinely supports neighboring communities with paramedic intercepts and mutual aid, strengthening the regional emergency response network. PACE’s services will not change or be disrupted by the name change and rebranding.
This rebranding is part of MaineHealth’s broader strategy to unify its identity across the healthcare system. By adopting a consistent name and logo, MaineHealth aims to simplify patient interactions and enhance recognition of its care services.
Senior Director of MaineHealth EMS Michael Senecal commented, “This rebranding underscores our commitment to providing superior emergency care. By unifying our services under the MaineHealth EMS banner, we ensure continuity and excellence in patient care.”
The renaming to MaineHealth EMS signifies a streamlined approach to emergency services delivery. MaineHealth EMS will continue the same high level of care and community support that NorthStar and PACE are known for. Residents should continue to call 911 for emergencies.
As part of the rebranding, MaineHealth is launching a dynamic Inter-Facility Transport system to address shortages in transport services in some service coverage areas. These shortages resulted in transport delays and, at times, led to extended stays and emergency department overcrowding, negatively impacting patient experience and care.
The IFT system will primarily focus on inter-facility and medical transports from local health systems, with bases strategically located in Scarborough, Brunswick, and Northport, with future expansions planned for Sanford and North Conway, New Hampshire.
Additionally, thanks to the buildup of MaineHealth EMS, we can now serve MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and have assumed all operations as the MaineHealth Emergency Medical Services, Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport, formerly the Angel Ambulance fleet. MaineHealth EMS clinicians will join our PICU and NICU teams to care for these patients. Until recently, our hospital-based clinical teams have partnered with outside EMS colleagues via the Angel Ambulances to serve the needs of these patients. This transition to in-house services allows for greater patient centered collaboration, innovation, and clinical excellence; we could not be more excited to grow this program.
“With the restructuring of our services and the addition of Interfacility Transport to our portfolio alongside our continued commitment to 911 services, patient emergency transports, and serving BBCH as the primary transport service, this rebrand to MaineHealth EMS is a crucial step forward,” says Trampas Hutches, MaineHealth Mountain Region president. “It’s more than just a name change; it’s a reflection of our dedication to further improving the health and well-being of our communities. As we move forward, we’ll continue to strengthen and build this critical service, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of those we serve.”
To support these expanded services, MaineHealth now employs 124 EMS providers, including 28 full-time paramedics, 61 full-time EMTs/Advanced EMTs, and approximately 35 to 40 part-time staff across various license levels. The goal is to operate 15 ambulances, with a mix of seven Advanced Life Support and eight Basic Life Support (BLS) units, enhancing both capacity and service quality.
Once fully operational, MaineHealth Emergency Medical Services anticipates responding to over 29,000 transports annually, reinforcing MaineHealth’s vision of Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” It consists of a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight other licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. It employs more than 2,000 physicians and advanced practice professionals working together across more than 250 practice locations. With approximately 23,000 employees, it is a leader in research and clinical education and training and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, New Hampshire, MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.
