Armstrong Ambulance
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Emergency medical services |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | William F. “Bill” Armstrong Jr. |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Greater Boston area |
Key people | Gale Armstrong Brady (Chair and President), Richard Raymond (CEO) |
Number of employees | 200+ |
Armstrong Ambulance Service Inc. operates as a privately owned emergency medical services (EMS) company headquartered in Arlington, Massachusetts. Established in 1946, it provides 911 emergency response and medical transportation throughout the Greater Boston area. The organization is distinguished as one of the select Massachusetts EMS providers accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS).
History
The business was initiated in 1946 by William F. “Bill” Armstrong Jr., a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, who started with a single Cadillac ambulance based out of his Arlington residence. Armstrong played a pivotal role in founding the Massachusetts Ambulance Association and managed the company until his passing in 2014. Following this, his daughter Gale Armstrong Brady assumed the roles of chair and president, while Richard Raymond, the long-serving operations director, was appointed CEO.
Operations
Armstrong Ambulance operates several stations throughout Greater Boston, delivering both emergency 911 services and scheduled medical transportation. Their teams provide round-the-clock advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) capabilities.
Primary 911 contracts (2024–25)
- Arlington – Supplies paramedic coverage for all ALS emergency calls.
- Waltham – Maintains three dedicated ALS/BLS units under a continuous 24-hour agreement.
- Saugus – Awarded in May 2018 through competitive bidding; responsible for ALS and non-emergency transport services.
- Stoneham – Holds a three-year contract beginning July 2024 that includes dedicated BLS transport units.
- Melrose – Contract ratified in April 2025 to provide uninterrupted ALS coverage.
Fleet and bases
By 2018, Armstrong Ambulance managed vehicles stationed at ten locations throughout the Greater Boston region.
Labor relations and regulatory issues
The company employs more than 200 EMTs and paramedics, operating under formal labor contracts while actively responding to state regulatory compliance reviews.
Labor relations
In June 2023, a majority of 156 EMTs and paramedics voted to affiliate with Teamsters Local 25, subsequently approving their inaugural collective bargaining agreement with a 97% majority in February 2023. This agreement addresses compensation, staffing levels, and training standards.
Regulatory issues
- 2018 training-record investigation: A probe by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health revealed that five paramedics from Armstrong—including CEO Richard Raymond—had submitted fraudulent ACLS, CPR, and PALS certifications.
- 2010–12 recertification misconduct: Former EMT instructor Thomas Codair Sr., once associated with Armstrong, permitted emergency responders to sign off on refresher course attendance without actual participation. Codair pled guilty in 2012 and received a suspended sentence; Armstrong faced no charges.