Council hears Logan Fire Department bid to continue EMS; council gives informal approval

Logan Fire Chief Nate Thompson briefed the city council on an RFP process that state law now requires for emergency-medical services (EMS). Chief Thompson said the new law required municipalities to bid EMS services; Logan issued an RFP and received one formal response — a proposal from the Logan City Fire Department.

Thompson and finance staff presented three review criteria required by the council: cost, quality and access. He said ambulance billing and grant revenues fund nearly half of the fire department’s budget; the EMS/ambulance enterprise fund covers roughly $5,900,000 of the department’s approximate $12.6 million budget. Thompson described system capabilities and unique services: Logan’s critical-care paramedic program (one of three in the state), a 24/7 ALS (advanced life support) response, cardiac-monitor replacement plans and other equipment investments, as well as the department’s three-shift staffing model and a mix of paramedics and AMTs.

On access, Thompson reviewed the department’s geography — Logan City plus North Logan, River Heights, Providence and the canyon — and the dispatch/response model used for 911 calls.

After the presentation, city management recommended the council “select the Logan City Fire Department to continue providing EMS service.” Council members voiced appreciation for the department’s professionalism. The council gave an informal head nod in support; staff said they would proceed with contracting steps and that a formal contracting process would follow in line with the state requirement.

Ending: The council’s endorsement at the meeting was a nonbinding recommendation/head nod; staff will pursue the formal contract process required by state law and bring contracting items back to the council as appropriate.