Bourne will buy two new ambulances thanks to American Rescue Plan Act

BOURNE — The town of Bourne will be able to buy two new ambulances thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The Barnstable County Regional Government recently awarded $750,276 to Bourne, according to a press release from the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners and the Assembly of Delegates. The funding comes from ARPA.

This is second grant made through the county’s application portal that opened in May. The first was $657,653 awarded to the town of Mashpee for a wastewater project.

A total $10 million is expected to be distributed to the 15 towns. So far, six have applied.

Bourne plans to use the money to buy two Lifeline “Superliner” Class 1 Emergency Medical Vehicles.

$5 million in American Rescue Plan Act money available for Cape organizations

The money became available as part of the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package approved by Congress and President Joe Biden in 2021.

New ambulances will support medical emergency responses

This funding will provide critical resources to address challenges to the town’s emergency response, which has been affected by COVID-19. Patients regularly need to be transported further than expected to hospitals for medical care based on conditions and statewide treatment protocols, as well as hospital capacity constraints, the release stated.

Boure taps first ARPA funds for ambulances, not sewerage pacts

As a result Bourne has been at risk of being unable to respond adequately to the ongoing public health emergencies caused or exacerbated by the pandemic, including response to calls for mental health intervention, substance abuse and overdoses, and domestic violence, the release stated.

“The town of Bourne is thrilled to learn that the Barnstable County ARPA program will provide two new ambulances to serve our residents," Town Administrator Marlene McCollem said in the the release. "The new ambulances will help ensure that we are prepared to provide emergency medical services throughout the future phases of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Other Cape towns urged to apply for funds

"The town of Bourne will benefit from this appropriation, and we encourage additional towns to apply for their allocated funding immediately,” said Patrick Princi, speaker of the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, in the release.

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Barnstable County is set to receive $41.3 million in ARPA funds and the 15 towns will receive an additional $26.1 million.

Towns on Cape Cod can apply for funding at https://www.capecod.gov/barnstable-county-federal-american-rescue-plan-act-arpa/ 

Contact Asad Jung at ajung@capecodonline.com. Follow on Twitter @asadjungcct

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Bourne plans to buy two new ambulances with federal ARPA funding