Ambulance company claims solid services

SAUGUS – American Ambulance?s contract with Saugus highlights specific services it will do for the town, but owners of former provider Cataldo say it?s not always about the written word.American?s contract, signed Nov. 27, promises that the company will offer two scholarships to graduating seniors annually, host quarterly CPR training for any town resident, conduct a “fatal reality” program with the schools, in addition to providing extra support to the town during town events and severe weather.The list marks the same services, and others, that Town Manager Scott Crabtree mentioned when he announced the switch at an Oct. 8 Board of Selectmen meeting. According to Crabtree, Cataldo could not provide the same services.Cataldo?s contract from July 1, 2004 is the last updated agreement. The contract has been expired since 2007. According to the contract, Cataldo agreed to biannual training of town employees, but the contract made no mention of many of the services American agreed to fulfill.But Cataldo Ambulance Vice President Dennis Cataldo insisted after that meeting that his company had the same services. In a letter Cataldo provided to the Item dated Aug. 30, Cataldo wrote Crabtree that, “The present written contract does little to reflect the depth and quality of the services we provide to the town on a daily basis.”And though Cataldo?s contract made no mention of extra provisions for Saugus special events, in a letter to Crabtree dated Sept. 4, enclosed with the Cataldo?s formal written proposal, Cataldo wrote of his company?s effort to have “routinely supported town agencies and community organizations by providing them with substantial donations including vehicles, AEDs, group training and monetary support.”?The written contract is a simple framework that does not represent the depth of resources necessary to provide unrivaled performance in a challenging community such as Saugus,” wrote Cataldo.In a comparison of response time requirements, American Ambulance has a more strict requirement to meet as part of its contract. Cataldo?s 2004 contract stated that the vehicle must respond to the call, no matter where it is located, within eight minutes, 90 percent of the time. The section was amended by the committee to include that it would be “advantageous” for the response time to be six minutes 90 percent of the time, and to not exceed 10 minutes. Exceptions were given in cases of “extreme weather conditions.”Crabtree said in the Oct. 8 meeting that he expects American Ambulance to have faster response time with a more centrally located building at the old Hamilton Street fire station. The ambulance must have a record average of arriving on-scene within six minutes that it is dispatched, with 90 percent of all calls under nine minutes. Any response longer than 10 minutes will require a detailed explanation by the company. American must provide monthly updates on time performance.If the provider?s average response time falls below that standard, the contract states that the town will launch a 45-day review of the provider, with a written summary.American Ambulance?s contract also holds the company responsible for making improvements to its new headquarters.American Ambulance?s contract began Dec. 1 and will run until Nov. 30, 2018, with a five-year extension available.Board of Selectmen Chairman Ellen Faiella said Monday the contract is not on the agenda to be discussed at tonight?s meeting.