Northern Light Mayo Hospital and Town of Dover-Foxcroft to collaborate on EMS coverage

Date: 06/27/2025

Northern Light Mayo Hospital and the Town of Dover-Foxcroft announce a collaboration on emergency medical services coverage to strengthen the EMS network in Dover-Foxcroft and Piscataquis and Western Penobscot Counties.

Beginning this summer, the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department will assume primary response for EMS calls in Dover-Foxcroft and Atkinson from 8 am to 4 pm, and Mayo Hospital EMS will be the primary responder in those communities overnight.

Currently, the Fire Department responds to calls to assist Mayo Hospital EMS at the scene, but they do not transport patients to the hospital. The Fire Department has been exploring expanding its EMS license to become a transporting service in Dover-Foxcroft. The license change paves the way for Mayo Hospital EMS and the Fire Department to work together on primary coverage.

The collaboration maintains coverage in Dover-Foxcroft while increasing Mayo Hospital EMS’ resources to respond to calls throughout the 23 towns its services. Mayo Hospital EMS will continue to operate bases in Dexter and Dover-Foxcroft and provide primary coverage for all of the towns it currently serves, except for Dover-Foxcroft and Atkinson during daytime hours.

“This partnership ensures our residents receive timely, high-quality emergency medical care by strengthening the collaboration between the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department and Northern Light Mayo Hospital EMS,” says Alsina Brenenstuhl, Town Manager, Dover-Foxcroft. “With increasing call volumes in recent years, this allows us to make the best use of available resources while maintaining reliable coverage. The Fire Department’s proven leadership and expanded EMS role reinforce their trusted presence in the community.”

“We have always thought regionally about EMS, and this is a natural extension of the working relationships we have built over time,” says Marie Vienneau, BSN, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Regional President, Northern Light Health. “In the past five years our call volume has grown by eleven percent. This plan makes the best use of our EMS resources for the benefit of the entire region and supports Mayo Hospital EMS’ outstanding paramedics and emergency medical technicians in providing lifesaving care over a geographic area spanning thousands of square miles. Our EMS team has been committed to this region for more than five decades, and we plan to be here to serve our communities far into the future.”

“The Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department has always strived to provide the highest level of care to the citizens of Dover-Foxcroft and Atkinson. Securing a ground transport license allows us to continue serving the community with the timely response,” says Fire Chief Brian Gaudet. “We’re excited about this new partnership with Mayo Hospital EMS and deeply grateful to the community and Select Board for their continued support—this would not have been possible without them.”

Mayo Hospital EMS, supported by not-for-profit Northern Light Mayo Hospital and Northern Light Health, has been responding to emergencies in Piscataquis and western Penobscot Counties since 1972. Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department has served the town and surrounding region since 1830, evolving over time to meet modern emergency response demands. Its increasing EMS involvement builds on its long-standing tradition of professional service and public safety leadership.