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Emergency management reports EMS remodel bids, training plans and rising siren maintenance costs
Summary
Emergency management updated the board on final EMS remodel documents being sent to bidders, plans to host an emergency operations course in September, requests to transfer surplus EMS equipment to county fire, and rising outdoor siren maintenance costs that could prompt future policy decisions.
Russell, emergency management, updated commissioners on multiple operational items including near-term bids for an EMS headquarters remodel, planned training, surplus equipment transfers and long-term maintenance costs for outdoor warning sirens.
Russell said final documents for the old EMS headquarters remodel were submitted to the vendor that will handle bidding. "They got those, the final documents so they can go out to bids to us," he said, and anticipated bringing bid results to the commission in two to three weeks. He said the county staff moved into temporary space and has been working to settle operations.
Russell said the county will host the NIMS G-2300 intermediate Emergency Operations Center functions course in the new EMS training room on Sept. 25-27 and encouraged elected and appointed officials to attend. "That's a class on how to operate and how to function in the EOC," he said.
He requested permission to accept surplus items from the old EMS headquarters (for example an air compressor, extractor washer, refrigerator, conference table and gear lockers) and asked if the commission would allow county fire to receive those items; he said he can submit formal transfer paperwork if the board approves.
On station projects, Russell said Station 110's building is complete but work on water and sewer (and therefore driveway and final landscaping) remains and that staff hope to set a ribbon-cutting date after utilities are completed.
Russell raised maintenance costs for outdoor warning sirens as an area that may require future policy decisions. He said recent service calls have cost about $3,000 each because specialized technicians must travel from Kansas City and that replacement costs can be substantial. "If the commission was really looking hard at something to cut," he said, commissioners could consider not repairing a siren when it fails and asking the local community to assume responsibility if they want it kept in service.
Russell also identified other cost areas (stream gauge support, educational pamphlets) as potential savings if cuts are required. He said staff will continue working on auctioning surplus vehicles and locating titles.
