The city of Lewiston is looking into competing with the local ambulance company, United Ambulance. United Ambulance has been serving our community since 1981 and has been paying taxes to Lewiston each one of those years. City Administrator Jim Bennett is asking the city staff to conduct a feasibility study on adding emergency medical services to the fire department?

Bennett’s plan calls for adding 32 EMTs, three ambulances and a rescue unit. These things would be beyond expensive!

The plan proposes taking emergency calls from United to help fund part of these expenses. Where will he get the rest of the money? How can we afford this without adding more tax burden, when United Ambulance is already providing us with a great service? Where is he getting the money that will initially be used for the feasibility study?

United Ambulance has an excellent reputation in emergency medical services.

United is co-owned by Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, two of the largest employers in Lewiston. United just installed a state of the art dispatch center so that each caller is provided with the quickest care possible.

Local government should not be in competition with the service and excellent patient care provided by United Ambulance.

Courtney Gladu, Lewiston

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