Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greenwood introduces part‑time mobile integrated health coordinator role; $45,000 proposed from opioid settlement to fund position
Summary
Council heard details about a proposed part‑time Mobile Integrated Health Coordinator in the fire department, an initiative the fire chief said targets recurring non‑emergent calls. Ordinance 2503 (salary ordinance) and Ordinance 2504 (appropriation of $45,000 from opioid settlement funds) were introduced for later action.
The Greenwood Common Council on Jan. 22 heard an introduction of a proposal to create a part‑time Mobile Integrated Health Coordinator position in the fire department as part of a mobile integrated health program. Fire Chief Daniel Marshall described the role as a proactive complement to emergency medical services that follows up with patients identified through EMS calls to connect them with resources and coordination of care.
"This program will be a tremendous resource for citizens in the community that are experiencing these challenges," Fire Chief Daniel Marshall said. He described the program as addressing underlying causes for recurring calls, including substance addiction and frequent falls, and said the role would coordinate care and resources for patients.
Marshall told the council that calls appropriate for this program generally do not require an emergent EMS response and account for roughly 4% of the department's call volume, based on figures discussed at the meeting. Staff did not provide an unambiguous total annual call count during the discussion.
The council introduced Ordinance 2503, a salary ordinance to add the part‑time coordinator position to the fire department, and Ordinance 2504, an appropriation of $45,000 from the city's restricted opioid settlement fund to pay personal services for the position. A city representative explained the opioid settlement funds are restricted to certain types of expenditures and that the appropriation would be an allowable use for the mobile integrated health coordinator.
Council members asked whether adopting the ordinance was required before the program could proceed; the chief and other presenters indicated the position and funding steps would follow standard ordinance and public‑hearing procedures. No final votes on the salary ordinance or appropriation were recorded at the Jan. 22 meeting; the items were introduced for future consideration.
