WINTHROP, Mass. —

A Massachusetts town has signed a new ambulance contract aimed at improving emergency medical services after a toddler died last winter when an ambulance could not reach her in time.

"Based on strictly what we thought was best for Winthrop residents, logistically and operationally, we decided to switch ambulance providers," said Winthrop Fire Chief Scott Wiley.

Winthrop's contract with Cataldo Ambulance goes into effect Sept. 8. With the new contract, Winthrop ends its 17-year relationship with Action Ambulance.

Wiley said the expectation of immediate ambulance response is not always met, as was the case for the 2-year-old girl last year. Wiley and other firefighters transported the toddler in his SUV to Boston for assistance, but she died after arriving at the hospit

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