Weber County adds paramedic rescue unit with Northview Fire District; renews Ogden City contract

The Weber County Commission approved an interlocal agreement with Northview Fire District on Jan. 28 to establish a new paramedic rescue unit based at Station 21 to improve response times in the county’s northwest sector.

Eli Johnson, who presented the items, told commissioners the addition responds to shortcomings identified in an independent audit conducted two years ago. “One of those areas that was identified … was the northwestern part of the county,” Johnson said. He said the Northview unit will be licensed by the State Bureau of EMS and that the interlocal agreement must be in place for that licensing process; the contract’s phased implementation takes full effect on July 1.

The commission also approved a renewal of its multi-year contract with Ogden City Fire Rescue to continue providing countywide paramedic services. Johnson said the Ogden contract is a five-year agreement with negotiated adjustments to financial provisions and that annual cost-of-living or stipend adjustments are anticipated through the budget process.

Johnson and commissioners said the county has set aside funds to bring the original audit firm, CityGate Group, back later in the year to reassess system performance after the new unit is integrated. Johnson described an intended “domino effect”: Rescue 21’s presence should increase local availability so other rescuers and units can remain within their areas more often, improving response times across the system.

Commissioners approved both contracts by voice vote. Several commissioners praised the work of local fire chiefs and staff during the discussion and noted ongoing monitoring of system performance and budget impacts.