Colby College Lab Partners with Waterville to Study Paramedicine Program

Researchers aim to determine if community paramedicine can save the city money by reducing 911 calls and hospital visits.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:42pm

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The Bram Public Policy Lab at Colby College has collaborated with the city of Waterville, Maine to research the fiscal impacts and effectiveness of the city's community paramedicine program. Researchers analyzed data on 'high utilizers' of emergency services to determine if the program could save the city money by reducing 911 calls and hospital visits, but found the positive effects were not permanent. The main takeaway is that if paramedicine can prevent two out of every five 'avoidable' EMS calls, the program would have a positive financial impact for the municipality.

Why it matters

Community paramedicine programs aim to provide more cost-effective emergency care by dispatching paramedics to treat patients at home, reducing the need for costly 911 responses and hospital visits. This research could help Waterville and other municipalities determine if investing in such programs is worthwhile from a fiscal standpoint, while also considering the broader benefits to patient satisfaction and access to care.

The details

The Bram Public Policy Lab at Colby College analyzed data on Waterville's community paramedicine program, which is currently funded through an external grant. The program operates three days a week and covers overtime for EMS staff and some additional equipment. Researchers focused on 'high utilizers' - patients who use emergency services four or more times per year - and found their 911 call volumes dropped significantly in the first three months of the program, but then began rising again by the six and twelve month marks. This suggests the positive effects of community paramedicine may not be permanent. The researchers concluded that if the program can prevent two out of every five 'avoidable' EMS calls, it would have a positive financial impact for the city. Expanding the program to a full-time position with additional funding could allow Waterville to serve as a regional leader in community paramedicine.

  • The Bram Public Policy Lab presented its findings to the Waterville City Council on March 3, 2026.
  • Waterville's community paramedicine program is currently funded through an external grant and operates three days per week.

The players

Bram Public Policy Lab

A research center at Colby College that supports interdisciplinary research, immersive learning, and collaboration with policymakers, especially in the state of Maine.

Nicholas Jacobs

An associate professor of government at Colby College who leads the Bram Public Policy Lab.

Nate Bernard

The organizer of the collaboration between the Bram Public Policy Lab and the city of Waterville.

Waterville

The city in Maine that partnered with the Bram Public Policy Lab to research its community paramedicine program.

Ira Mandell

A Waterville resident and retired physician who stressed the importance of improving patient satisfaction and access, not just saving money, when it comes to the city's paramedicine program.

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What they’re saying

“It's not all about money. In the end, it's about people.”

— Ira Mandell, Waterville resident and retired physician

“The city of Waterville could be a leader in the region.”

— Nicholas Jacobs, Associate professor of government at Colby College

What’s next

Next steps for expanding Waterville's paramedicine program include seeking additional funding to allow for better data collection and potentially expand the program to a full-time schedule.

The takeaway

This research highlights the potential fiscal benefits of community paramedicine programs, but also the challenges in sustaining those benefits over time. Waterville's experience shows that careful data collection and analysis is key to determining if such programs are cost-effective for municipalities, while also considering the broader impacts on patient care and access.