Federal Funding Secured to Build New Fire Station in Saxtons River

Senator Welch also discusses EMS ROCS Act to improve emergency medical services reimbursement

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) has secured $598,000 in federal funding to help build a new fire station in Saxtons River, Vermont. The funding will allow the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department to expand emergency services in the area. Welch also met with EMS providers to discuss his EMS ROCS Act, which aims to ensure EMS providers are properly reimbursed for the vital services they provide.

Why it matters

The new fire station in Saxtons River will help address longstanding funding shortfalls that have made it difficult for local fire departments to meet the needs of rural communities. The EMS ROCS Act is also crucial to supporting EMS providers, who often go unreimbursed for important emergency services they deliver outside of hospital transport.

The details

The $598,000 in federal funding secured by Senator Welch will allow the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department to build a new fire station in Saxtons River to replace aging and damaged facilities. Welch also discussed his EMS ROCS Act, which would require the government to pay for vital EMS services, regardless of whether a person needs an ambulance ride to the hospital. This bill aims to ensure EMS providers are duly paid for the care they provide, especially in rural areas.

  • On February 21, 2026, Senator Welch visited the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department's Bellows Falls Fire Station.
  • In November 2025, Senator Welch joined Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in introducing the bipartisan Comprehensive Alternative Response to Emergencies (CARE) Act.

The players

Peter Welch

U.S. Senator from Vermont who secured $598,000 in federal funding for a new fire station in Saxtons River and is championing the EMS ROCS Act to improve EMS reimbursement.

Rockingham Municipal Fire Department

The fire department serving the Saxtons River area that will receive the federal funding to build a new fire station.

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What they’re saying

“Decades-long funding shortfalls have made it increasingly hard for local fire stations to meet the needs of rural communities. In Saxtons River, where firefighters are operating out of unsafe facilities damaged nearly 15 years ago by Tropical Storm Irene, that struggle is even tougher.”

— Peter Welch, U.S. Senator (vermontbiz.com)

“I was also pleased to speak with EMS providers who are on the frontlines of medical emergencies here in Windham County. Right now, these folks aren't being reimbursed for some of the lifesaving services rural communities depend on–we need to fix that.”

— Peter Welch, U.S. Senator (vermontbiz.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This federal funding for a new fire station in Saxtons River and Senator Welch's efforts to improve EMS reimbursement highlight the ongoing challenges rural communities face in accessing critical emergency services, and the importance of securing necessary resources and policy changes to support first responders and ensure public safety.