Rural EMS is in crisis

NORTH COUNTRY — Rural EMS is in crisis. Volunteerism has dwindled to almost nothing and small-town departments have struggled to recruit and retain qualified personnel. That was clear this week when the Franconia Life Squad was disbanded due to a lack of manpower. For those reasons — and more — there is renewed interest in establishing a full-time regional ambulance service in northernmost Grafton County, particularly in the cluster of towns located on the northern border of Franconia Notch. Franconia Fire Chief Rick Gaudette made that recommendation on Monday when the Select Board dissolved the Life Squad.