W27004_Mass Emergency Medical Services Northeast Region.docx

Massachusetts Department of Public Health CMED Services/Lawrence General Hospital Notice of Intent W27004

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is the lead agency for emergency medical services (EMS) in the Commonwealth, under Mass. General Laws (MGL) Chapter 111C, §3(b). Under MGL c. 111C, § 4(b), MDPH is directed to designate one regional EMS council in each region of the Commonwealth to assist and support MDPH in carrying out the coordination, maintenance and improvement of EMS in their regions as defined in Code of Massachusetts Regulations 105 CMR 170.

On May 6, 2025, the Northeastern Region, EMS region III, notified DPH that they were declining to renew their contract with the MDPH. This resulted in a lapse of legislatively mandated services on July 1, 2025 including coordination of Centralized Medical Emergency Direction Center (CMED) operations. To remedy this, an emergency contract with Lawrence General Hospital was executed to support CMED operations for EMS Region III.

On September 26, 2025, the Department posted a Request for Response (RFR) with the intent to designate a new EMS regional Council III. No responses were received.

CMED is a critical function within the Commonwealth of MA and ensuring CMED is functioning is critical to the emergency service system. CMED operations include functioning as the communications link between ambulances and hospitals; providing an effective communications system for EMS field operations; on-line medical control; and management of mass casualty/disaster incidents in Region III.

In the interim, while reviewing options for establishing a new Regional Council III for the Northeast as well as statewide CMED operations, the Department intends to contract with Lawrence General Hospital for CMED operations through 6/30/2029 with annual renewal periods. This will provide the Department with time to gather information and (1) assess potential avenues for change and improvement of CMED operations and (2) assess options for a more permanent solution for designation of an EMS Region III council and coverage of required duties.

LGH is uniquely positioned to support this effort as it houses the existing CMED infrastructure for EMS Region III, making it most qualified to oversee and manage the system and therefore provides the best value for the Commonwealth.

The anticipated annual cost of the CMED operations is expected to be approximately $ 170,000.00. Services must begin on 7/1/2026.

Any comments or concerns regarding this notice of intent can be sent to Susan.K.Lewis@mass.gov. Comments must be received by 3:00 PM on 3/31/2026.