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Lawrence‑Douglas County Fire & Medical outlines service pressures and two budget reduction proposals; commissioners seek joint city–county discussion
Summary
LDCFM presented rising call volumes, longer response times and two proposals responding to a requested $1.9 million city budget reduction; one option would add a medic unit and up‑staff a ladder while removing an engine and shifting county cost share.
Lawrence‑Douglas County Fire & Medical (LDCFM) officials presented data to the Board of Douglas County Commissioners on April 9 showing rising call volumes, growing unit use and lengthening emergency response times, and outlined two budget‑reduction proposals that have been discussed with the City of Lawrence.
Acting Fire Chief Joe Hardy and Interim Chief of Staff Mackenzie Ezell told the commission that call volume growth since 2020 had outpaced additions to ambulance resources, that travel and total response times have trended upward in several planning zones, and that the department’s 2024 and 2025 data show increasing pressure on unit reliability. Chief Hardy said a city budget directive led LDCFM to construct proposals in response to a requested $1.9 million reduction in the city’s 2026 contribution.
Chief Hardy summarized the department’s preferred option: remove Engine 5 (a frontline engine in Station 5), up‑staff one ladder truck from three to four personnel, and…
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