RUMFORD – An ongoing point of contention for some in town took a step toward resolution Thursday night when selectmen voted unanimously not to eliminate the first responder duties of the Rumford Fire Department.

But the vote to terminate such duties, initiated by Selectman Frank DiConzo, led to what he said he really wanted – a move to try to improve Oxford County dispatcher responses that will ensure that the fire department answers calls when a first response is needed.

The vote came following a presentation by Med-Care Ambulance Service Director Dean Milligan on medically-trained firefighters, a description of the seven-year-old program by fire Chief John Woulfe, and support for firefighter first responders by Jay Bradshaw, director of the state’s Emergency Management Service.

“The program developed by Rumford has become a model adopted by other fire departments in Farmington, Waterville and other towns,” Bradshaw said.

As the program stands now, Rumford firefighters respond to accident calls and any other calls the Oxford County dispatcher indicates could be life-threatening.

The problem, as DiConzo and Selectman Mark Belanger believe, is that the fire department appears to respond to virtually all medical calls.

“I’ve been bombarded with this problem for two years. I get calls about this every week,” Belanger said, referring to the appearance that fire trucks respond to every medical call. “We’ve talked about this before and nothing changes.”

Bradshaw said he would take up the matter of dispatchers possibly sending firefighters to calls that are not life-threatening.

“We will look into that with the EMT coordinator tomorrow,” he told the board following the vote.

Selectmen Chairman Greg Buccina said the board had already voted to have all dispatching duties turned over to the county. The most recent vote by the board turned over the remaining dispatching duties that cover the town’s call boxes and business alarms. The change has not been made, but is expected to be in a few weeks.

“Maybe then there will be concerted effort to address the dispatcher problem,” he said.

Prior to the vote, several residents argued for and against the board eliminating first responder duties.

Ron Theriault argued that Rumford was paying more for emergency medical services than other towns that rely wholly on Med-Care Ambulance Service.

“We’re subsidizing the subsidy of other towns,” he said.

Kevin Saisi said the complaints about the fire department responding to medical calls may be a matter of perception.

“Maybe we should use the chief’s car or the rescue vehicle rather than a piece of apparatus. I urge the board to continue the service, but make some changes,” he said.

Selectman and former fire chief Arthur Boivin said there are instances when Med-Care needs the assistance of the fire department, such as when a victim is located on the second or third floor.