NORWAY — On the heels of MaineHealth rebranding its rural facilities, last week the hospital system announced that PACE Ambulance Service reopened its renovated and expanded headquarters in Norway.

In addition, PACE will now be known by a new name, MaineHealth Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It shares the name with the former NorthStar EMS located at MaineHealth Franklin and more closely ties the two emergency medical services within MaineHealth’s Mountain Region.

As part of the rebranding, MaineHealth is launching a dynamic Inter-Facility Transport (IFT) system to address shortages in transport services in some service coverage areas. These shortages resulted in transport delays and, at times, led to extended stays and emergency department overcrowding, negatively impacting patient experience and care.

During an open house reception last Thursday at the newly renovated PACE building, the Advertiser Democrat tagged along for a tour of the renovated facility with Robert Hand, its longtime director.

Hand said that during the construction phase between February through last month he had to relocate PACE’s office space to the basement of the Ripley Medical Building, which is on the opposite side of the hospital.

“The ambulances were largely kept here,” Hand said. “And we were able to park a couple over at the drive-in building, where COVID testing had been done.”

Using the COVID testing center allowed EMTs quicker access when called out and also allowed the ambulances to remain plugged in when not in use.

In the updated facility bay, its concrete floor was resurfaced with new ventilation and drainage systems added. And instead of shelving and cabinets that held medical supplies stacked against the walls andwere exposed to humidity inconsistent temperatures created by the garage doors having to stay open while the ambulances ran, a climate-controlled supply room now runs the length of the bay.

The building’s administrative and living quarters have also been significantly made over.

Where crews working overnight shifts used to share two multi-bed bunkrooms, now they each have privacy provided by eight individual bedrooms.

Just as importantly, instead of the crowded central area that combined conference, food prep, dining space and also accommodated employees when completing follow-up administration reports, there is a dedicated meeting room, and full kitchen with dining and living room areas.

Hand’s office was also enlarged and moved away from living and sleeping quarters, allowing more privacy for administrative and personnel matters.

In a written statement Trampas Hutches, MaineHealth Mountain Region President expressed the following: “With the restructuring of our services and the addition of Interfacility Transport (IFT) to our portfolio alongside our continued commitment to 911 services, patient emergency transports, and serving BBCH as the primary transport service, this rebrand to MaineHealth EMS is a crucial step forward.

“It’s more than just a name change; it’s a reflection of our dedication to further improving the health and well-being of our communities. As we move forward, we’ll continue to strengthen and build this critical service, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of those we serve.”