Moving quickly though a single-item action agenda during a special meeting Tuesday, October 6, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a five-year contract for paramedic services supplied to the town by Western Connecticut Health Network Affiliates (WCHNA) and Danbury Hospital.

Much like previous contracts with Danbury Ambulance, which was recently acquired by the WCHNA, the contract locks in a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year presence of a licensed paramedic, who will respond in a provided, fully-equipped all- or four-wheel-drive emergency vehicle — typically staged at the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance headquarters on Wasserman Way.

Vehicle replacement will be on a five-year schedule unless it accrues 100,000 miles of use first — or must be replaced for other reasons.

The majority of Newtown medical calls requiring transport usually go to the Danbury Hospital Emergency Department unless directed otherwise because of a patient’s condition or unique treatment demands. The contract stipulates all necessary advanced life support equipment, pharmaceuticals, disposable supplies, and related response and treatment gear will be supplied along with personnel and a response vehicle.

The upkeep and maintenance of all hardware and related communications equipment are included as well.

The contract also adds the provision of all personal protective equipment for the responding medic as well as uniforms. WCHNA is also responsible for the operational integrity, maintenance, and repairs of any related gear or equipment, as well as ensuring all personnel are up to date with necessary certifications and licensing.

WCHNA is also responsible for providing all orientation and related training to new incoming medics to the local program.

The contract does not bind any paramedics to an employment agreement, nor does it confer any municipal fringe or health benefits between the medics and the Town of Newtown.

WCHNA agrees to maintain a $1 million ($3 million aggregate) general liability insurance policy related to the service, plus excess liability coverage of $5 million naming the town and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association as added insureds. Up to $10 million in professional liability coverage is also included.

Additional coverages include a $1 million policy for vehicle liability.

All related billing for paramedic response is handled through the local ambulance association. Under the agreement, WCHNA also provides additional paramedic responders in the event of multiple calls requiring that level of emergency medical attention.

Compensation for the contract is structured as follows:

*Year 1 — $366,271

*Year 2 — $375,427

*Year 3 — $384,812

*Year 4 — $394,432

*Year 5 — $404,292

The preceding contract expired on June 30 of this year. This new contract is retroactive to July 1, 2020, and expires July 1, 2025.

Selectmen additionally approved as an addendum a business associate agreement naming the town and the ambulance association as the “covered entity,” and WCHNA as the “business associate.”