New Bedford's Fire Chief says merging the city's EMS into the fire department makes both agencies stronger.

At Monday's City Council meeting, the Arizona-based FACETS Consulting group presented their study of New Bedford's fire and emergency medical services.

The group recommended several changes including EMS operating out of the fire department.

Fire Chief Michael Gomes says the improved coordination creates better services to the community.

"I've been a strong proponent since I've been in this position of putting an EMT on evey one of our fire companies, or training one of our fire fighters to the level of EMT," Gomes says.

While FACETS also recommended providing additional training and equipment to fire fighters in New Bedford including higher first responder training, Gomes says the department has already applied for a grant to train 60 fire fighters to an EMT level.

With the fire department facing finiancial issues and needing to blackout certain stations, FACETS looked into saving money by merging or closing stations around the city.

Kevin Roche of FACETS Consulting says they couldn't really recommend closing any station, but the city could consolidate Fire Station 6 and 11 to Morton Court if absolutely needed.

City Councilor Joe Lopes says the key is getting consistant emergency help to every part of New Bedford.

"If we're looking at consolidating stations, there's the potential that you'd see a reduction on the total number of fire fighters on duty, but you'd be able to service the city without rolling blackouts," Lopes tells WBSM News.

FACETS officials say Fire Station 7 could be closed due to overlapping coverage from other stations, however would still not recommend the move being one of New Bedford's busiest areas.

FACETS Consulting
FACETS Consulting
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