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Trustees weigh public-safety pay, billing and equipment requests; EMS billing rates raised, staffing pay and weapons accessories unresolved
Summary
The board approved a change to EMS billing rates but deferred decisions on a paramedic/EMT pay increase and police requests for suppressors, helmets and ammunition pending cost details; trustees also discussed Lexipol subscription renewal and adopted fire department policy updates.
Fairfield Township trustees addressed multiple public-safety items on March 11, approving updated EMS billing rates while asking for more data on staffing pay increases and equipment purchases.
EMS billing rates: The board adopted a resolution revising emergency medical services billing rates. Trustees voted to approve the change during the meeting; roll call followed and the resolution was adopted.
Part-time firefighter and paramedic pay: The fire department chief requested higher hourly rates to keep part-time paramedics and EMTs competitive with neighboring departments. The chief reported a regional average of about $21.40 for paramedics and $18.65 for EMTs, and proposed raising township rates to $22 an hour for paramedics and $19.50 for EMTs from current starting rates reported as $19.30 and $18.50 respectively. Trustees requested a fiscal analysis of the budget impact and said they would return to the issue with projected overall cost numbers before approving any change.
Police equipment request: The police chief outlined three equipment requests: suppressors for rifles (safety/hearing protection), Kevlar helmets (six units requested) and annual ammunition for range and training. The chief gave a vendor estimate of roughly $30,000 for suppressors, about $3,600 for helmets, and $6,100 for ammunition—totaling roughly $39,700 in line-item figures. The chief said the suppressors are on state bid; trustees discussed whether purchases could be phased and suggested waiting for the next settlement receipt if needed. No equipment purchases were approved at the March meeting; the chief planned to return in April with a funding plan.
Lexipol subscription and fire policy: The board was briefed on renewal of the Lexipol policy and training subscription for the fire department at a proposed renewal price (staff reported ~$17,436.08). Trustees discussed the subscription's role in policy conformity, training and liability mitigation and deferred final approval; the renewal is not due until May. Separately, trustees adopted fire department policy manual updates recommended by Lexipol, including work-related illness/injury reporting and temporary modified-duty policies intended to reduce lost time and workers' compensation exposure.
Overall, trustees approved the EMS billing rate update and adopted required fire policy changes but asked staff for cost projections on pay increases and phased equipment purchases before making additional spending decisions.
