Controversial ambulance company gets contract in Quincy

QUINCY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) - This week, the Mayor of Quincy awarded the city's lucrative ambulance contract to another company, ousting its current provider of 18 years.

FOX25 has been digging into the concerns surrounding this big change, and a similar change in Brockton involving the same ambulance company.

Deputy Fire Chief Joe Jackson was one of eight officials chosen to analyze the bids and ultimately helped award the bid to Brewster Ambulance Service.

"Brewster Ambulance, they're going to double the compliment of ambulances in the city of Quincy, they are offering some significant community outreach programs," Deputy Fire Chief Joe Jackson said.

Viewers contacted fox 25 concerned after a 5-3 vote, some questioned the experience of workers and the experience of leaders at the 7-year-old company.

Brewster Officials said when they start operating in Quincy, the paramedics will have a minimum of 6 years of experience and at least one year on a 911-vehicle.

"Brewster is excited to serve the City of Quincy and will be fully staffed and ready to go into service," a statement said. "We have paramedics who will be part of this team with 20 to 25 years of experience."

But one fiscal watchdog believes the bigger issue is ambulance contracts are largely unchecked.

Greg Sullivan, of The Pioneer Institute, said Massachusetts law exempts ambulance contracts from state bid laws.

"They're not paying the bill, but they are picking the provider," he said.

Quincy officials say they did chose the provider with lowest costs for transport, but Fallon representatives said the numbers don't tell the whole story.

"Fallon Ambulance Service is bewildered and confused by this seemingly opaque action. The reasons for displacing Fallon, an organization with a 93-year history of continuous operations with 18 years of dedicated ambulance service to the city of Quincy," Fallon said in a statement. "Specifically, based on this memo and the details of our proposal, Fallon is ostensibly the better choice for the City. Due to these inconsistencies, Fallon is filing a grievance with the Purchasing Agent and is seeking a meeting with the Mayor to review these irregularities."

Since last month FOX25 news has been investigating the Mayor of Brockton's decision to award the city's ambulance contract to Brewster as well.

Brockton's current provider, AMR will lose its contract at the end of this month after 34 years serving the city.

FOX25 analyzed the campaign contributions from Brewster to Mayor Bill Carpenter and Carpenter denies the donations had any influence on his decision.

A city council hearing on that process is expected Monday.

Cox Media Group