U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Potential layoffs, reducing services and lost revenue are all concerns raised by firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from across the state during a virtual discussion with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Wednesday.

During the call Shaheen heard about what these first responders from around the state are up against as they continue serving on the frontlines of their communities. The senator also updated participants on her efforts in Washington, D.C. to support their work and service in upcoming legislation that she said came out of the house last week.

“I think it’s fair to say that in the CARES package we probably didn’t have as much help for first responders as we all would have liked and so looking at this second package and thinking about what we can do to support your efforts is really important,” Shaheen said.

One of the biggest disagreements Shaheen cited in the CARES package that passed in March is over how much help goes to the state and local levels to support first responders, municipal workers and teachers, for example. Shaheen expects that will be another disagreement when the house package gets to the senate.

In any event, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire Bill McQuillen said one concern is that a lot of the initial aid that came into the state has not been earmarked for municipalities to be able to replace lost revenue. McQuillen believes as this starts to play out, the concern is looking out a year from now for the next fiscal year and beyond, and what that lost revenue is going to be for service delivery.

He also cited concerns over municipalities making up lost revenue with service cuts and cutting services the public relies on to fight the pandemic. Chief Todd Germain of the Portsmouth Fire Department his department is fully anticipating a rebound of infections and outbreaks, and said it would be irresponsible not to anticipate and plan for this. Germain also cited fears that in six to 24 months there is going to be less personnel to do this safely.

“We’re in the middle of budget season now and as unconscionable as it may sound to all of us on the panel here, discussions are being had at this moment about reducing services or perhaps laying off public safety personnel amid a public health crisis,” Germain said.

President of the Nashua Fire Fighters Association John McAllister also joined the call and said one of the big concerns in Nashua is how the pandemic has changed their response to all medical calls. Now, members of Nashua Fire Rescue are utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) that they have not had to use in the past.

“Right now, the city of Nashua is in good shape for PPE but if this surge happens like they’re talking in August, fall the winter our concern is what happens then when we run out of PPE that we are currently using and moving forward,” McAllister said.

Both Portsmouth and Nashua have relatively strong economies, but in the northern most parts of the state this is not the case. Chief James Watkins of the Berlin Fire Department confirmed this while explaining that he believes it is well documented that they do not have a good economy in the city and in the valley.

“I think we’re going to be good for this budget coming up, but there’s already talk of layoffs for next year, again, with the next round of the taxes,” Watkins said.

He explained that the department was close to purchasing the private ambulance and bringing in emergency medical services into the firehouse. However, with the uncertainty of money, Watkins said that ended up getting nixed last Monday, which sets them up for layoffs next year.

Shaheen said that one of the things she believes is helpful in this house bill that needs to hopefully get done when it comes to the senate is waiving the local 25 percent match for various grants.

Moreover, President of the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association Glenn Davis also brought up the issue that this pandemic creates an emotional drain on first responders because it is so repetitive, whereas typically with EMS personnel, for example, they will respond to a call, treat and transport the patient, go home and the call is over. However, this pandemic presents first responders with an ongoing battle.

“They usually can see an end,” Davis said. “If a house is on fire, eventually it’s going to go out and they don’t see that here.”

Moreover, as various officials presented concerns looking ahead at what could happen as this pandemic persists, businesses are already reopening in the time being, meaning more people are returning to some public spaces.

“New Hampshire’s gotten $61 million – I’m not sure if it’s all come in yet – for testing, but hopefully that will help as we think about what we need to do going forward because everything I’ve seen suggests that as we open back up our need for testing is probably going to increase not decrease, and testing and PPE for that matter,” Shaheen said.

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Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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