[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6242750,"mediaKeyId","3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26","parentId",3245425,"title","Tempe Fire Medical Rescue reports stable ambulance service after three years; program funded equipment and station work","audioSeconds",583,"startMs",1817000,"endMs",2400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26&start=1817&end=2400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26/thumbnail_1817000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242750/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Tempe-Fire-Medical-Rescue-reports-stable-ambulance-service-after-three-years-program-funded-equipment-and-station-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242750-985b0d0189ac8691af58a4818e75c1ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968138&Signature=cU3yuc137FWTNnn8JkSq0npfJkLf6J7jjEYjaOIjDH8yTNsoV7TJ~uwAeNv7vKZL~wKb-jeiOuHBD8bXquKhKSPuRO~1JC8lB3P6UYBvKp0yssCi8-8rxtlJnKM-qT8prTBpb4cOw0FPlmq2Ui6sWAURUvpo~Try~VxhO~JYfB-bUCKwJJJ19SHYQ0009yo2JiX~NN0sfN43E0f-XdBYEnLvz-MBvSNBxJmZe8cTGXPwS2md33N2Qpk4K9fiVVUplj2NgTW5zGSz-4yCm9U96662jQWGjz0lKLF4HWsymz~4CUCWu3Y9g9sbrPnfpb~5PQaNnEjyjqthKVXFi6~NEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Tempe, AZ","date","2025-05-08T23:48:33Z","article","Tempe — Interim Fire Chief Darryl Doody and Interim Deputy City Manager Greg Rees updated the City Council Thursday on Tempe’s city-operated ambulance program, reporting three years of full operation, six advanced life-support ambulances staffed around the clock and financial and equipment investments tied to the enterprise fund.

Doody said Tempe Fire Medical Rescue (TFMR) received a Certificate of Necessity from the Arizona Department of Health Services in 2016 in response to private-market instability and began operating with two ambulances in 2017. The service expanded to its current level of six staffed advanced life-support ambulances in 2022 and operates with 39 operational employees — 18 emergency medical technicians and 21 paramedics — plus one ambulance transportation supervisor who works with the city’s third-party billing contractor.

Doody said staff chose to staff ambulances with paramedics “for efficiency sake,” enabling ambulances to take advanced-care patients so fire crews can return to service. He described operational metrics showing the program consistently exceeds its 80% goal for transports when dispatched and maintains unit-hour utilization in the 20–30% range, the department’s target \"sweet spot\" before planning additional units.

The presentation included destination and transport data: roughly 80% of transports are split between HonorHealth Tempe (formerly Tempe St. Luke’s) and Banner Desert, with Scottsdale used for trauma, stroke and cardiac receiving cases in the northern part of the city. Doody said collection rates are “quite good” for the state and that a reimbursement dip in 2024 has largely been resolved.

The TFMR enterprise fund purchased a ninth ambulance in FY24 to maintain reserves (six staffed units plus three reserves) and has contributed more than $1 million to the fire department’s capital improvement program for station renovations to accommodate ambulance crews. The department also acquired mechanical CPR devices (Lucas) during COVID and placed them on every response vehicle; Doody said Tempe was “the first in the state to provide one on every unit.”

Doody highlighted other improvements funded by the program: the hiring of the city’s first paid medical directors to provide physician oversight, operational guidance and training, and the deployment of Note 2 electronic patient-care software to transfer documentation directly to hospitals for better continuity and quality assurance.

Council members asked operational questions. Vice Mayor Garland asked what causes a dispatched ambulance not to transport; Doody replied it is a mix — refusals, stand-by dispatches, and operational protocols to keep ambulances available for critical calls such as cardiac arrest and violent incidents. Garland also complimented the department on innovations and said she was “really proud of you.”

No formal actions or policy changes were proposed; staff provided the update and answered council questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tempe City Council - Work Study Session - May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Interim fire chief Darryl Doody and interim deputy city manager Greg Rees told council the city’s ambulance program, in operation three years after receiving a certificate of necessity, now runs six 24/7 ALS ambulances with strong transport rates, expanded equipment, and a fund that has supported station capital improvements.","taxTitle","Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242755,"Tempe Center for the Arts proposes phased rate increases; council signals consensus to proceed",395,1080000,1475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26&start=1080&end=1475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6242755/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Tempe-Center-for-the-Arts-proposes-phased-rate-increases-council-signals-consensus-to-proceed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242755-63feef2cb76093e0f82e71cccfb0d243/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968138&Signature=DuXv~ydj1M-1c4NTMjZrLJ7OY25Hdjczs4UhWl9WR0Dk6wWyAC6~FijkAVESDzrl8RLDHsIK2oW8xwLi94EAOvpNsLlv0ztiyHSjskNqvhw5q8~CTIrxgwqIpOXjiFvTI67uydopWENV-4m8kPkRWYcKDj3qT0vXIKKxk3DEJPmZOeicWQqULFOLfqJixt8vTS0jryjN0SsXDJZaHayY7CvWkOHHNmMMuAZLdn8yvNEtqzT8cdCvyzEmKsK7NhFpOPkCAV8Wjf3oyzqBFiKIpXEOs-OlDgw4MjMpikrxbVD2om7RfYExwDBNgtwz-g5PAVcRSqWkbIe0APvSPuFGZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tempe — Leaders of the Tempe Center for the Arts on Thursday outlined plans to expand programming beyond music, increase free and low-cost events, and implement a staggered rate increase for rentals and services that staff say have not changed in nearly two decades.

Brenda Abney, deputy director for arts and culture, and Maribeth Reeves, TCA manager, presented a proposed stair-stepped rate schedule intended to bring TCA rental rates, ticketing fees and equipment charges closer to regional market medians while protecting resident companies and community partners through phased implementation and case-by-case discounts.

Reeves said the goals are to “balance financial sustainability and affordability” and to provide predictability for resident companies and long-term renters. The proposal would delay most impacts until after fiscal year 2026 and allow annual increases after FY28 capped at no more than the Consumer Price Index for the city of Tempe if adjustments are needed.

Council members praised the venue’s programming and accessibility plans. Council member Amberg said he was “totally fine with the rate increase” and asked a technical question about an appendix item where overtime for the large theater appeared lower than the small theater; Reeves said she would follow up. Vice Mayor Garland said she supported rate changes if needed and asked whether TCA was operating near capacity; Reeves responded that for the next season “every weekend night, we are booked” and weekdays mostly as well, with a few openings staff are trying to fill.

Councilor Perraj asked whether discounts for partners such as schools or community groups would be available; Reeves said such arrangements are handled ``case by case'' and that staff are evaluating a more consistent discounting approach.

Council members expressed general support and the mayor asked whether there were objections; none were raised and the mayor said there was consensus to move forward on the rate-change item, with staff to continue discussions with resident companies.

TCA also described programming changes for the 2025–26 season, including national touring acts, expanded theater, dance, comedy and family programming, partnerships such as a virtual reality collaboration with ASU Gammage, and plans to increase free events and scaled pricing to improve affordability while meeting revenue targets.

Reeves and Abney said further operational details and communications plans will be provided to partners before changes take effect, and staff will work with resident companies to minimize disruption.","TCA leaders presented a multi-year plan to diversify programming, increase accessibility and adopt a stair-stepped rate schedule to align rental and ticketing fees with market comparables; council members signaled consensus to move forward pending staff follow-up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242760,"Tempe council hears public-art plan update emphasizing local stories, accessibility and Indigenous voices",540,172000,712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26&start=172&end=712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3245425-671678986212e241f0712e2fe8d70f26/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6242760/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Tempe-council-hears-public-art-plan-update-emphasizing-local-stories-accessibility-and-Indigenous-voices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242760-6a49a7f734d95b55d70bf6c1c76d4d58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968138&Signature=g4fUq60B3FvraFdqtrco1wiVeNiBocojpp4m562JA8OeW80ZdRGVX9zOPuXKGtytDBbvn6x06IC8Fj4Pedj6oXI5XibJrbPPOTpcU1eE-TwAUOb96yf7L1aLyRDbPGnz~DZwVUhrlhCe8RyGCRzZVuA487dgy~t9jxg0RxgIPATe4n3htWtbdF0IYr5UnbW7bDJEVxgPcM9q8SSYbxw4FQ~RV3Y3mtUxkEXtxIfFogCyTbEE9a53V~rUuH8BVom2TS7I7irMDXB98YSipeGLSnWI6h39f1vJZjPkcWsfsP4txTgdCotc8vcl1kYm-ZWa93kP-SjFuUbpN-QEKoKtWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tempe — City staff and outside consultants on Thursday presented an update on the city’s public art planning process, summarizing roughly 10 months of community engagement, a draft curatorial framework and next steps toward a fall 2025 final plan.

The public-art update, delivered by Brenda Abney, deputy community services director for arts and culture, and consultants Rebecca Bloom Rothman and Josh Lapp of Designing Local, outlined community priorities the team heard and suggested program aspirations and internal intentions to guide future acquisitions and placement of art across Tempe.

The presentation highlighted community feedback that residents want art “that impacts their daily life,” is integrated into public spaces and “celebrates the story of Tempe,” consultant Josh Lapp said. The team showed an inventory and maps indicating a dense downtown collection and said almost 80% of residents are within a 10-minute walk of at least one piece of public art. (A 20-minute-walk percentage mentioned in the presentation was not specified in the materials shown.)

Designing Local described a curatorial framework centered on natural elements (color, light, sky, land, water), local history and culture, Indigenous traditions and “surprise and innovation.” The consultants said the plan aims to boost equitable distribution of art, create interactive and place-based work, and expand opportunities for local artists.

Abney said the public-art planning process will continue with additional analysis and formulation of a draft plan through the summer and a target to roll out a final plan in the fall. She also said staff will use the draft framework to inform selection processes and future project aspirations.

Council members expressed support and asked about specific opportunities. Vice Mayor Garland welcomed the emphasis on Indigenous art and local artists, saying she was “glad that you have that as a part of it.” Councilor Bridal Adams asked whether utility boxes could be painted; staff replied the consultants provided aspirations and building blocks and that conversations about South Tempe utility-box projects are already underway.

Abney confirmed that the Human Relations Commission — for which a council liaison participates — was among early groups engaged and that the commission and other community representatives will be invited to serve on future selection panels.

The consultants and staff emphasized public engagement as the foundation for the plan and said the next phases (May–July) will produce a draft plan with recommendations for council and the community to review ahead of a final fall document.","City staff and consultants presented results of 10 months of public engagement and a draft framework for a new public art plan that prioritizes integration into daily life, equitable distribution and more opportunities for local and Indigenous artists.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tempe Fire Medical Rescue reports stable ambulance service after three years; program funded equipment and station work

Tempe Center for the Arts proposes phased rate increases; council signals consensus to proceed

Tempe council hears public-art plan update emphasizing local stories, accessibility and Indigenous voices