The Importance of Intercept
Advanced Life Saving Intercept (ALS intercept) services are critical to the delivery of effective emergency medical services (EMS) in Berkshire County because in our rural communities, local ambulance staffing may not provide paramedic-level response. These intercept services enable basic life support (BLS) ambulance crews, typically staffed with EMTs, to rendezvous with Southern Berkshire Ambulance’s (SBA’s) paramedic-staffed ALS units.
When patients are experiencing life-threatening emergencies like cardiac arrest, severe trauma, or respiratory distress, they receive advanced procedures and medications en route to the hospital that can only be administered by paramedics under Massachusetts law. By quickly bringing advanced airway management, cardiac monitoring, intravenous therapy, and critical medication administration to the patient, ALS intercept services substantially improve outcomes in time-sensitive emergencies, regardless of the transporting crew’s initial capabilities.
Why we purchased a fly car
Southern Berkshire Ambulance provides ALS intercept services to New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, and West Stockbridge when available. Last month, we purchased a fly car. As a basic-level ambulance races toward Farview, our paramedic fly car races in the opposite direction. More care is administered sooner, and that saves lives.
This vehicle cost less than 12 percent of the cost of each of two new ambulances we just ordered. So, it is both essential and cost effective at the same time. Thanks to our partners at Greylock Federal Credit Union for financing this purchase.
For smaller towns, maintaining full-time ALS paramedic coverage in every ambulance can be cost prohibitive, making intercept models especially important in bridging the gap between BLS and the advanced level of care outlined in Massachusetts EMS protocols. Our paramedic intercept teams support multiple basic-level crews during high-acuity calls and interfacility transfers, thus ensuring both residents and visitors can receive rapid access to life-saving interventions. This system not only elevates the overall standard of pre-hospital emergency care but also supports efficient resource use. It is how we maximize outcomes for critically ill and injured patients.
So, when you see a Ford Explorer emblazoned with Southern Berkshire Ambulance driving by, know that it is your ambulance service trying to save a life in an especially difficult situation.
Thank you, and thanks for your support of Southern Berkshire Ambulance. It makes all the difference in the world.
Jim Santos
Board Chair
Studying Efficiencies in South County Emergency Medical Operations
Take the Survey!
Thanks to the Collins Group for their recent work studying ways to improve emergency medical care in South County.
Their consulting engagement is a result of efforts by former State Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, and supported by current State Rep. Leigh Davis and State Sen. Paul Mark.
The Collins Group has a survey they would like you to take. You can access the survey by clicking here.
Congratulations Ken Schumacher!
We are grateful to the Great Barrington Rotary for honoring one of our own at last month’s “Citizen of the Year” luncheon at Chrissy Farm. A very special congratulations to honoree Ken Schumacher, recognized for an incredible 49 years of volunteer service as an EMT with the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad.
Ken’s decades of dedication represent the very best of community service, and we are lucky to have role models like him in the Berkshires. Thank you, Great Barrington Rotarians, for lifting up leaders who embody compassion, resilience, and service.
Housing: Help Us Help Our Team
There is a new state law that was specifically designed to help the Berkshires with housing. It is the Affordable Homes Act and its Seasonal Communities designation.
There is just one problem as we see it: In the draft regulations, the state has only made housing options available to municipal EMTs and paramedics, not those working for nonprofits. Both Southern Berkshire and Northern Berkshire Ambulance squads are nonprofits, so emergency medical first responders will not benefit from housing preferences created under the Seasonal Communities designation if these draft regulations are adopted.
Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad employess approximately 15 full-time and another 15 part-time EMTs and paramedics. Well, over 20 of them commute an hour or more to work here. Why? In many instances, they cannot afford local housing.
State Sen. Paul Mark has asked us to submit comments before the draft regulations are finalized. The window for submissions closes on October 31, 2025. Please, encourage the state to include first responders who work for nonprofits like SBAS. It helps us all if our local responders choose to live locally. How about we not tie one hand behind our backs.
You can send your comments directly to Sen. Mark’s office by emailing: paul.mark@masenate.gov.
Please also submit them to the state following these instructions:
Send your comments to: EOHLCRegulationComments@mass.gov and include “Comments on 760 CMR 76” in the subject line.
A copy of the proposed regulations are available here.
SBAS Announces Partnership with BPI to Fundraise for New Ambulances
Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad and Berkshire Preservation Inc. have announced a partnership to raise funds for two new ambulances on order. Their collaboration will include donor outreach and event planning. BPI donates its services, and there is no charge for this support. We want thank Carole Owens, the founder and president of BPI, and her entire team for recognizing the importance of emergency medical services.
About Southern Berkshire Ambulance
SBA provides primary 911 coverage for the towns of Alford, Ashley Falls, Egremont, Great Barrington, Housatonic, Monterey, Mount Washington, and Sheffield. SBA also covers the portion of Southern Stockbridge known as the Furnace District.
SBA provides advanced lifesaving paramedic intercept services to the towns of New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, and West Stockbridge when available. SBA supports ambulance needs throughout the county through formal mutual aid agreements covering most of the southern half of Berkshire County.
We are a nonprofit and rely on you to fund our operations. Click here to donate.
