Cheshire County EMS

REMINDER! Tomorrow we are holding a Radio Communications Training at our station. Join us!

We started out the week teaching an age-appropriate first aid/stop the bleed class to Beyond the Bell's 5th and 6th graders at their Swanzey location. These kiddos had a lot of energy that made for a fun class, with great outcomes. And, for the record, the band aid name tags were intended for their shirts, not their noses! Good work, kids!

Today CCEMS taught an age-appropriate first aid/stop the bleed class to Beyond the Bells' 5th and 6th grade campers (Troy location). Their interest in understanding how to help an injured person, as well as the importance of scene safety was impressive. Great job today!

Beyond the Bell staff joined us again this year for their CPR/AED/First Aid certifications. We are looking forward to seeing you again next week when we get to work with the kiddos on some basic first aid/stop the bleed skills!

Thank you, Stoddard Fire & Rescue, for having us be a part of your 250th Anniversary Celebration/Old Home Days Celebration and Parade! The dinner was delicious!!

It was a pleasure having the Keene High School Rotary Club students join us for a CPR/AED/Narcan class. Great job earning your certifications!

Open invitation to a Radio Communications training being held at CCEMS. Seating is limited, so please RSVP in comments below or email to [email protected]

Cheshire County, First County-Run EMS Program in New England Earns National Achievement Award

Cheshire County and the “First County-Run EMS Program in New England” have been recognized with a 2024 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

Understanding that the EMS system in Cheshire County was in crisis, which would have put the health and safety of Cheshire County residents in question, Cheshire County used funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to start up Cheshire County EMS. The funding allowed a home base to be built in Swanzey NH, as well as the purchase of two older ambulances to get the program up and running. Several more were purchased in 2022 and 2023 to bring the fleet number to seven ambulances, with a final goal of eight ambulances by 2025. The service has been operational for nearly two years, with the program now having some level of relationship with every municipality, whether that includes 911 contracts, backup services, paramedic intercepts, interfacility transfers, and wheelchair transport service through a partnership with SMART Ride. Staffing is currently over 50, comprised of skilled EMTs, AEMTs, Paramedics, Captains, Two Deputy Chiefs, and the Chief of CCEMS.

County Administrator Chris Coates said, “we are honored to be recognized by NACO, but our true mission is to recognize how we can best support and address community needs and challenges as they arise. Through Cheshire County EMS we have met the critical needs of our community to create a continuum of care for the health and wellbeing of the the residents of Cheshire County.”

County Commissioner Jack Wozmak stated, “Cheshire County EMS filled a critical void in our community that would be in crisis if the County had not stepped forward. We thank NACO for this honor, recognizing the hard work that went in to creating this lifesaving program.”

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications. “The Achievement Awards recognize excellence in county government and effective public service,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “This year’s winners have delivered results for our residents and demonstrated innovative efforts to strengthen our communities.”

Happy 4th of July! Be safe and have fun celebrating our Country's independence!

EXCELLENT COMMUNITY RESOURCE! (Click grey box below.) The Family Resource Guide was developed by the Success by Six committee of the Rotary Clubs of Keene and the Monadnock Region Health Reporting Lab and published by the Keene Sentinel.

This guide contains information and links to organizations providing emergency services, health and wellness, childcare, education, and family and community assistance.

Family Resource Guide 2023

Please swing by the station tomorrow evening!

Please don't pass up this opportunity to help ensure the safety of the little ones in your life!

We hope to see you in Gilsum tomorrow night!

We had a blast at Keene High School teaching health science students Stop the Bleed! Great job to everyone that joined us to earn their STB certification.

Thank you Stoddard Fire & Rescue for inviting us to join your extrication training. The more we practice and interact in training the better the outcomes will be for our patients!

CCEMS would like to recognize a few recent shifts that have had high call volumes. The first was on May 23, 2024, where C shift led by Interim Captain Williams responded and handled 21 calls, to include 13 911 responses throughout the county and 8 interfacility transfers out of Cheshire Medical Center.

The second was Wednesday, May 29th where B shift responded to 14 emergency calls to include working with Gilsum and Keene Fire Departments at a motor vehicle crash and by assisting with calls later that night during the 2nd alarm structure fire in the City of Keene. Captain Fortier and B shift also managed 4 interfacility transfers for Cheshire Medical Center.

Finally, as this week draws to a close, yesterday May 30th, D shift and Captain Murray handled a total of 22 calls for service of which, 13 were emergency calls and 9 transfers from Cheshire Medical Center.

I want to thank Captains J. Williams, D. Fortier and S. Murray for managing their shifts and resources professionally and efficiently to meet the needs of the citizens of Cheshire County when requested. JOB WELL DONE Captains and especially to their crews, the EMT’s, Advanced EMT’s and Paramedics who truly are the backbone and most notable of all the staff at CCEMS.

Thank you,
Chad McMurrer
Interim Chief CCEMS

Consider attending this unique yet important training!

When you think about programs in the community that offer tremendous support when it is most needed, Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services - HCS likely comes to mind. As EMS providers, we have bumped into their amazing staff from time to time and were very pleased when they agreed to come visit our staff to discuss their programs. The more we understand the resources that are available, the more helpful we can be to our patients. Thank you, Evelyn and Vanessa!

Thank you, Nelson Fire & Rescue, for coming down to our station for a Stop the Bleed training. Who knew a training could be THAT much fun! We hope to see you again soon.

Remembering, with grateful hearts, all of the men and women who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

Thank you Keith Hanks for coming out to present to CCEMS staff and the local community. Your story is profound, and we thank you for sharing. The awareness you provide surrounding su***de, and trauma, is priceless.

Also - a thank you to First Responder Therapy Dogs, Forge Health, FHE Health for being on site as vendors for the evening.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH! When you have a person on your team whose actions resonate pride in the company, skilled care of patients, and a kindness to her coworkers, you take notice. At CCEMS, Gwen Shaw is that person. Please join us in congratulating her for being chosen as the County's employee of the month!

During this 50th anniversary of EMS Week, CCEMS is honoring the remarkable dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment that EMS workers give every day. We are especially grateful for our team here at CCEMS who push forward and give their patients the best. We continue to be humbled by the compassion and skilled care that our patients receive. Although we could never match our level of appreciation with gifts or good food, we love having this opportunity to say thank you!

TONIGHT!! 6-8PM Seats are still available! Keith Hanks is an amazing presenter with a fantastic story to share. We will also have vendors on site, including First Responder Therapy Dogs and Forge VFR (Veteran's and First Responders), and Shatter Proof FHE Health. Send text to 603-722-8229 to reserve your seat!

Thank you for having us, Nelson Fire & Rescue!

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, motivational speaker Keith Hanks is coming to Keene (May 6th) to present "Surviving PTSD, a Success Story". Please join us! RSVP via [email protected]

Next time you are headed out Route 9 in Stoddard, give Tina a visit. Her food is fantastic, and she is a strong supporter of EMS! We're certain Stoddard Fire & Rescue and Nelson Fire & Rescue can attest.

Congratulations Westmoreland Fire-Rescue Department on your new station. Well deserved!

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Chief McMurrer on his promotion to Interim Chief of CCEMS. We look forward to his continued leadership and positive growth of the organization.

New chief appointed at Cheshire EMS Cheshire EMS Assistant Chief Chad McMurrer was appointed interim chief of the county-run service Friday and is expected to become the permanent chief June 1, the county administration said in