Four unorganized territories in Penobscot County are the latest areas to face an uncertain future for ambulance service.
East Millinocket Fire Department sent a letter Nov. 21 to the county’s unorganized territories asking to be released from its contract to provide ambulance services to four surrounding townships, including Grindstone Township, T2 R9, TA R7 and T1 R6, Unorganized Territories Director George Buswell said.
The contract for fire services is separate and not affected.
Unorganized territories rely on surrounding towns, the county and state to provide all essential services because the areas have no municipal government. If the ambulance service with East Millinocket ends, these townships will need to find new towns to provide emergency medical services.
Rural ambulance services are struggling across Maine and the nation, with a report from the state saying its services are “at the edge” of, or over, a financial cliff. Most recently, seven towns in Penobscot County learned in August they will suddenly have to pay Northern Light Health for ambulance services at a fee of $17 a resident, which will cost some towns tens of thousands of dollars.
For the four townships, a 60-day written notice is mandated before the end of a contract, so any changes would not happen immediately, Buswell said. The goal is to meet with East Millinocket next week to figure out next steps.
East Millinocket is paid a total of $9,200 a year for ambulance service from the four unorganized territories.
The East Millinocket Fire Department did not return a request for comment.
Relying on neighboring towns for services has worked well for years, but all towns are struggling now, Buswell said.
He hopes they can find a way to continue ambulance service.
“I’m hoping that we can communicate with East Millinocket and find out if there’s a way we can continue to work together,” he said.
