The fire chief, Chief Perko, presented an ordinance on first reading that would set minimum standards and oversight for nongovernmental emergency medical responders operating in the city and would codify 911 as the sole emergency number. Chief Perko said the ordinance is modeled on ordinances in other Ohio cities and would require training, medical direction, insurance, HIPAA compliance and reporting for nongovernmental agencies. "Passing the ordinance is the most effective step to maintain safety, clarity, and accountability our residents expect and deserve from our emergency medical services, provided by our fire department," Chief Perko said.

Council voted to refer the ordinance to the safety committee for detailed review. Council member Therese Marshall requested attendance by Hasala and John Carroll University representatives at the committee meeting to discuss the proposal. Chief Perko said the ordinance aims to preserve mutual aid, prevent conflicting operations at emergency scenes, and reduce legal risk by requiring licensing and oversight.

Next steps: The safety committee will set a date for review and is expected to invite regional partners and local institutions to discuss operational details and implementation requirements.