ANSONIA — Amid concerns for their jobs and the future of their organization, 29 staffers at Ansonia Rescue Medical Services signed a letter last month calling for the removal of their leader, ARMS Chief Jared Heon.
The seven-page letter, addressed to Mayor David Cassetti and the Board of Aldermen, lodges some 15 complaints against Heon, questioning everything from his treatment of subordinates to his spending habits; to a pattern of retribution against people who speak out.
“Over the past several months, and primarily since Chief Heon’s return from administrative leave, we have been disheartened by the actions and behavior of Chief Heon,” according to the letter. “He has tested our willpower and confidence in his skill, ability, and leadership to adequately lead this department. Under his leadership and direction, morale has plummeted to depths never-before seen at this department.”
Ansonia Rescue Medical Services is the city’s ambulance service. The majority of the staff is part-time.
The letter states that Heon is attempting to dismantle ARMS to see it absorbed into Valley Emergency Medical Services (VEMS), the Valley’s nonprofit paramedic service of which Heon is a member of the board of directors.
In an emailed statement to The Valley Indy, Heon acknowledged the vote of no confidence and the letter.
He pointed out the city is in contract negotiations with the ARMS workers, and confirmed that the city could be looking to make changes.
“I would like to take a moment to address the recent letter attributing to a vote of no confidence. This is likely due to the fact that the City, in the midst of Union negotiations with the part time employees, has elected to explore all options for EMS in Ansonia, a process which on recommendation by Corporation Counsel I have fully recused myself from on all ends a few months back,” Heon said.
“Just as these employees are concerned about potential changes impacting the organization and employment as it stands today, I share the same concern and look forward to playing a role in that process when appropriate. The personal allegations against me are baseless and I fully intend to prove these as unsubstantiated, as every previous inquiry has also revealed,” he wrote in the statement.
The City of Ansonia, in fact, is exploring whether emergency medical services can be regionalized in some form, according to Ansonia corporation counsel John Marini.
The city put out a request for proposals in a legal notice published Monday in The New Haven Register.
“The City is considering divesting itself of the service and moving to a regional model. That’s precisely what the RFP is seeking proposals for,” Marini said.
Internal problems have been percolating within ARMS for months. Heon was put on administrative leave in February after a first batch of complaints surfaced within the agency.
Currently, when there is a car accident or similar incident that requires an ambulance in Ansonia, an ARMS ambulance responds to transport people to the hospital. If advanced medical care is needed immediately, VEMS (Valley Emergency Medical Services, a completely separate entity based in Seymour) will send a paramedic to the scene to assist.
However, there is talk of VEMS absorbing ARMS equipment, such as ambulances, and expanding its services to provide basic transport and paramedic service to the Valley.
The letter from ARMS to Ansonia leaders questions the wisdom of such a move.
“The taxpayers in the City of Ansonia have no idea that these backdoor dealings are taking place, and that the EMS service that they love is being dismantled behind their backs, with the equipment that their taxes have funded being “donated” to an outside agency,” according to the letter.
State Rep. Jason Perillo, R‑Shelton, is the executive director of VEMS.
“I do believe the City of Ansonia is considering a regional approach to providing ambulance service and I know VEMS would be proud to be a part of it,” Perillo said in an email to The Valley Indy Monday.
Nathan Smith is a national representative of the International Association of EMTs & Paramedics, the union that represents the part-time ARMS ambulance staff in Ansonia.
Smith said the talk of merging with VEMS is happening as ARMS tries to negotiate a new contract with Ansonia. He said staffers are worried the city isn’t being straight with them, and that they could lose their jobs. The ARMS staff is uncomfortable with Heon being in leadership roles in both organizations.
Smith said he had scheduled a meeting to discuss the meeting with Mayor Cassetti earlier this month, but was then told the mayor wasn’t interested in talking to him.
“Your local heroes are concerned for their patients, their futures, and the potential loss in quality of service that Ansonia constituents have come to expect from their EMS provider,” Smith said in a letter last month.
Smith said the workers at ARMS have served the city well and deserve to be treated better. He also said the city could be taking a financial risk if it decides to merge its ambulance service with VEMS.
Smith said the union has submitted a series of Freedom of Information requests to get information on the discussions happening about ARMS between the city and VEMS.
Heon concluded his statement by saying that the internal conflict within ARMS won’t impact service.
“I want to assure residents that EMS responses will not be affected during this time and I continue to work professionally with our employees, volunteers, City staff, our Commission and the Alderman to make sure Ansonia provides the best EMS possible,” he said.
Marini said the City of Ansonia will be contacting ARMS union leaders to get a better understanding of some of the personnel charges lodged against Heon.
