Ambulance Services

Trinity Emergency Medical Services

The Health Department negotiates and manages the contract for ambulance services in the City of Lowell, in accordance with the Lowell Code of Ordinances, Chapter 100. Our current provider is Trinity Emergency Medical Services. Trinity has been the ambulance services provider for Lowell since 1992. Trinity serves 13 municipalities in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire, with a fleet of over 75 vehicles at eight locations.

The Trinity fleet includes both Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians, and Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances staffed by paramedics qualified to provide life support, all managed and dispatched from their digital state-of-the-art communications hub. Depending on the type of call, either BLS or ALS will be dispatched to a medical emergency call. For example, ALS is dispatched when patient is having difficulty breathing.

Leveraging Technology to Save Lives

Trinity EMS utilizes technology to improve ambulance dispatch services, and has invested heavily in the most advanced communications equipment and systems. Dispatch software analyzes historical data for day, date, time and call volume and provides predictive guidelines. On-board advanced GPS systems and Toughbook tablets on each ambulance supply real-time directions, patient information and call updates while maintaining a wireless connection to each vehicle. Strategic pre-deployment of ambulances based on this data analysis has allowed Trinity to save two minutes on 70% of calls. When you are waiting for an ambulance, those two minutes can seem like an eternity, and can mean the difference between life and death.

Just Enough, Just in Time

Data analytics, including time-on-task analysis, are also used to optimize staffing levels, ensuring that there are always "just enough" personnel on duty to handle the call volume. With its large regional presence, Trinity has the flexibility and resources to respond quickly and seamlessly to any unusual spike in demand. Lowell reaps the benefits of Trinity's investments in technology, equipment and staff, without having to staff-up and invest in expensive capital equipment and technology to meet peak services demands.

Cost of Services

These services are provided at no cost to the City of Lowell. In fact, Trinity reimburses Lowell for usage of the Lowell 911 emergency response system. Costs of ambulance and emergency medical services are the patient's responsibility, and are generally covered by insurance. Trinity's finance department handles this complex billing and payment operation.
Trinity EMS meets quarterly with the Lowell Board of Health for a performance review, and provides detailed reports on a range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Access the Quarterly Reports.

Community Roots & Commitment

A Lowell-based company, Trinity has over 250 employees, with their state-of-the-art dispatch center located in Lowell at Drum Hill. Their rehab van, also known as the Water Wagon, is an excellent example of their community commitment. When there is a structure fire in Lowell, Trinity dispatches the Water Wagon - at no charge - to support the firefighters. The Water Wagon is stocked with cold drinking water and a water mister. Firefighters can come to the van to re-hydrate and cool down in the mister. This "pause that refreshes" helps them avoid dehydration and overheating, and can even save a trip to the hospital for intravenous (IV) re-hydration.