Maplewood Oct. 27, 2025 The Maplewood Fire/EMS department presented its 2026 budget overview to the City Council, emphasizing staffing increases, technology investments and several prehospital clinical pilots. The presentation outlined the departments priorities and the planned local investments needed to implement the staffing plan supported by a federal SAFER grant.

Chief Mollendorf (presenting) said the Fire/EMS portion of the general fund budget represents approximately 13.65% of the citys general fund allocations in 2026 and that the service cost to the median value home for the year is shown as $25.12. The department described a multiyear staffing plan, including a SAFER grant that will support six additional firefighter positions (local match included in the proposed budget) and the addition of at least one firefighter position in the 2026 budget year.

Key operational and program highlights presented to the council included continued development of a Fire/EMS cadet pathway program, expanded community paramedic work and research‑validated pilots addressing falls among older adults (in partnership with Ohio State University and a pilot with Regions Hospital focused on assisted living facilities), an out‑of‑hospital Suboxone initiative for opioid overdose response, Narcan leave‑behind kits, and a planned whole blood program for trauma response on scene. Chief Mollendorf described investments in employee health and wellness (Ready Rebound program, fatigue research collaboration with a University of Minnesota doctoral study, enhanced firefighter medical screening) and leadership development and credentialing.

The presentation also outlined technology investments: implementation and broader use of First Due (fire/EMS management platform), compliance planning for the National Emergency Response Information System (NEARIS) and integration with Echo Data Solutions for real‑time operational data to inform deployment and resource decisions. Staff reported sustained response time performance at or above the departments target (about 93% of responses within the 8‑minute standard since recent staffing investments).

The council did not take an immediate vote on the budget at the meeting; the presentation provided department priorities and context for the ongoing budget process.

Speakers (selected)

- Chief Mollendorf, Fire/EMS Chief, City of Maplewood (presenter).

Authorities referenced

- SAFER grant (federal staffing grant) referenced by staff as funding source for six positions.

Provenance

- topicintro: transcript excerpt at 25:27 where the chief opens the budget overview: "Thank you, Mayor and Council. This evening I'll be presenting the FireEMS Department's 2026 budget overview."
- topfinish: transcript excerpt at 36:21 where council thanked the chief and closed the budget discussion: "Thank you for the report."