Toledo Fire requests up to $850,000 annually for medical supplies as ALS duties shift to city

Tammy Powell, a fire department official, and Deputy Chief Bert Franklin told council on May 13 that Toledo Fire and Rescue seeks authority to amend and place a contract for medical supplies and equipment with Boundtree and related vendors to cover Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) needs.

Powell said the department originally requested “just under 200,000 over 3 years and waived competitive bidding” but revised the ask to “up to 850,000 annually,” funded from a mix of the opioid fund and the general fund. The increase followed Toledo’s transition to providing ALS services after Lucas County EMS dissolved some county arrangements. Powell said the department has already spent “close to $400,000” to date and that the city inherited supplies and contracts from Lucas County.

Council members pressed for budget detail and the source of the increase. Council members requested a referral showing how much remains in the opioid fund and how much of the $850,000 would come from the general fund. President Hartman and others asked for an accounting of the ALS/BLS transition’s net cost or savings. Powell said the department estimated transport-related revenue to the general fund at $10 million for 2025 and that the city had already deposited about $7 million in the first quarter; she said those revenues help offset supply costs but did not present a formal break-even analysis during the meeting.

Councilman Hobbs said he would support a recommendation to proceed once the requested referral material is provided. Several council members expressed concern about monitoring the long-term budget impact and about staffing as call volumes increase.

No binding contract award or ordinance was adopted during the agenda-review meeting; council directed staff to provide the requested financial breakdown by referral.