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Committee hears fire department plan to operate ambulance service; staff to refine costs and timeline
Summary
Fire department leaders presented a proposal for the city to operate ambulance services (current provider AMR), described staffing and ambulance equipment requirements and presented an initial multi‑year cost estimate; committee members asked for next steps to move the proposal through public safety and finance.
City fire department leaders presented a proposal for municipal operation of ambulance services currently provided by a private vendor. Chief leadership described a multi‑phase plan that would staff ambulances across three shifts, add supervisory positions, acquire ambulances and equip the fleet, and contract third‑party billing. The presentation estimated first‑year costs of roughly $2.1 million to acquire ambulances, equipment and startup costs, with ongoing operating costs thereafter.
Staff proposed an ambulance fleet of eight units: four dedicated 9‑1‑1 response ambulances, two units for local non‑emergency/transfers and two for longer distance transfers. The staffing model presented would place paramedic/EMT teams at stations and add an EMS captain and paramedic lieutenant supervisors for shifts. Staff recommended operating the ambulance service without drawing operational fire suppression personnel from emergency response rolls.
Committee members asked about funding sources and timeline. Staff said multiple funding sources have been used in other jurisdictions (including opioid settlement funds and internal capital budgets) and said they have obtained vendor pricing from multiple ambulance manufacturers and billing firms. The committee discussed whether to place a public safety committee item and then move the budget/finance adjustments to the finance committee and ultimately to council for authorization. Committee members also raised the importance of ensuring continuity of service during any transition from the current vendor and the need to prepare a budget and a procurement schedule for vehicles and vendor services.
No final vote to adopt the takeover occurred at the finance meeting. The committee instructed staff to pursue public safety committee review and to return with detailed cost comparisons, procurement timelines and a proposed funding plan that identifies capital and operating impacts.
