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Council moves $95,000 from ambulance franchise revenue to fire department for equipment and training
Summary
Tuscaloosa City Council approved General Fund Budget Revision No. 9 to transfer $95,000 from ambulance franchise revenue to the fire department: $56,500 for blood-administration equipment repairs/supplies and $48,400 for paramedic and advanced EMT training.
The Tuscaloosa City Council approved General Fund Budget Revision No. 9, reallocating $95,000 from the ambulance franchise revenue line to the fire department to cover equipment repairs and training.
Miss Standridge presented the revision, saying it moves $95,000 out of the ambulance franchise revenue line to the fire department, with $56,500 allocated for repairs and supplies for blood-administration equipment and $48,400 for travel and education related to paramedic training.
A fire department official identified in the transcript as the chief said the department started carrying blood about a year ago and has administered blood roughly 30 to 35 times to trauma patients, including gunshot and stabbing victims. The chief said the updated blood-administration equipment will make administration easier and is expected to lower long-term costs related to perishable supplies and replacements.
On training, the chief said the city has seen a “sudden influx” of personnel seeking paramedic and advanced EMT education and described that trend as beneficial for city services. When asked how many trainees the $48,400 would support, the chief said, “I think that’s about 7 or 8,” and noted the exact number depends on the mix of paramedic versus advanced courses.
Council members moved and seconded the budget revision and approved it by voice vote.
The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or a formal breakdown of how many seats in paramedic programs will be funded; the chief’s estimate (7 to 8) was given on the record but characterized as uncertain in the discussion.
