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Fire chief outlines call reductions, paramedicine program and station assessment
Summary
Fire leadership reported efforts to curb non‑emergency responses, new community paramedicine and telehealth work, a multi‑year accreditation effort and a facilities assessment for Station 1.
The fire chief briefed the council on 2024 activity and priorities, saying changes to EMS deployment and new community paramedicine work are already reducing calls and wear on apparatus.
“We have implemented several programs to help with that,” the fire chief said, describing a telehealth program established at no cost to the city and a nascent paramedicine program that began late in 2024. Staff reported the goal of reducing non‑emergency EMS responses to extend apparatus life and better focus firefighters on high‑priority emergency responses.
The chief outlined a multi‑year accreditation effort intended to evaluate the department against national standards and to improve performance measures; the department is targeting an assessment date in 2026. He also said staff is working on a comprehensive community risk assessment to better define preparedness, response and prevention priorities for aging buildings and high‑risk, low‑frequency events.
On facilities, the department has completed a feasibility and assessment of Station 1 at the Spalding‑Roberts Drive location, a building the chief described as “pretty rough” and under architectural review for options. The department also told the council that replacement of two engines and delivery of a medical rescue unit purchased in a prior budget are expected in June; those fleet additions will affect deployment and maintenance schedules.
The fire chief said community programs — AED placement and sponsorships, CPR training goals (targeting up to 700 community members) and an expanded CPR/education presence in senior housing — remain top outreach priorities.
Council members asked for additional data on overdose and mental‑health calls; the fire chief said he would supply the requested numbers to council.
