Jefferson County councilors ask planners to clarify master plan language on emergency services, update maps and park listings

Jefferson County councilors, staff and local emergency officials spent much of a working-session review of the county's public-review master plan debating language about emergency services and asking the planning consultant to correct several maps and clarify recommendations.

The discussion centered on text that reads the county "should continue to invest in up-to-date emergency vehicles and certified EMS personnel." Council members said that wording suggests the county owns or will fund ambulances and fire apparatus, which are operated by separate fire and ambulance districts.

The debate matter-of-factly focused on the limits of county authority: several council members said the plan should encourage or collaborate with fire and ambulance districts rather than state the county will "invest" in their vehicles and equipment. They also asked that references to training and drills make clear which organizations lead or participate and remove duplicate recommendations.

Warren Robinson, Jefferson County emergency manager, told the group that some regional assets are purchased with federal dollars and maintained locally. "That truck in particular is owned by what's called STARS... it's a regional asset," Robinson said, referring to the Area Safety Response Team administered through…