Questions and answers to common questions:

  • Q: When I called 911 with a medical emergency both the Ashby ambulance and a car with paramedics from Townsend or Ashburnham came to my home. Why is that?
    • A: Sometimes when a medical emergency is deemed to be acute and requiring additional advanced care a Paramedic intercept is arranged and additional personnel from a town come onboard the ambulance and work along side the Ashby EMT’s to provide excellent care.
  • Q: When I called 911 an ambulance from Ashburnham, Townsend, or Fitchburg came to my house, Why was this?
    • Sometimes multiple calls are received at the same time or while the ambulance is already transporting to or returning from the hospital. In this case an ambulance from a surrounding community that we have an agreement with will respond along with any available additional personnel.
  • Q: Why do the police respond to Fire and EMS calls?
    • A: Our local police officers respond to all emergency calls in town to help ensure safety and reach you as quick as possible in the event of an emergency. Our police officers also function as first responders and assist with medical calls prior to the arrival of the ambulance gathering additional information and treatment such as CPR, rescue breathing etc.
  • Q: Why is the road sometimes closed in the event of a motor vehicle accident?
    • A: With all of our small windy roads sometimes to ensure safety of both the persons involved in the accident and first responders it is necessary to close the road for a period of time. We do our best to clear the road as quickly as possible.
  • Q: There is a fire truck sitting out on the road watching or looking at the electric wires. What are they doing?
    • A: Likely the personnel in the truck are ensuring safety at the location of an arcing or downed wire caused by branches or wind. Please assume that all downed wires are live and dangerous DO NOT approach or attempt to remove wires or branches contacting wires form the road. In the event of wires down please call 911, dispatch will notify Fire, Police, Unitil and Highway.