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Fire chief cites 198 lives saved in 2025 and outlines EMS-driven workload
Summary
Chief Ost presented Richland Fire & Emergency Services' 2025 report: a 3.5% budget increase, grants totaling about $25,000, a $133,000 captured billing correction, and a heavy EMS workload (72% of calls) that contributed to 198 lives saved and other community programs.
Chief Ost presented the Richland Fire & Emergency Services 2025 annual report, emphasizing strategic investments to build resiliency, an EMS-driven workload and community risk-reduction programs.
Ost said the 2025 budget increased about 3.5% and that the department applied for six grants and was awarded three totaling roughly $25,000, funding rescue tools and transportation assistance. A medical utility billing audit found 189 properties that had not been billed correctly, which Ost described as capturing about $133,000 ("not new revenue, it's captured revenue").
Service-delivery data showed total call volume fell modestly (about 2.7%) while EMS accounted for roughly 72% of calls; Ost explained unit-hour utilization and station workload thresholds that can reduce resource reliability and lead to delayed responses. He reported that Richland Fire "directly saved 198 lives" in 2025, including overdose reversals, respiratory and cardiac interventions and cardiac arrest survivors, and said the department again received an American Heart Association Mission Lifeline Gold Award.
Ost highlighted community programs including a resource navigator that made 142 client referrals and used 86 community partners to coordinate outreach and services that in one case helped an elderly community member secure stable housing within 30 days. He outlined personnel investments (paramedic certifications, promotions, a new community risk reduction specialist) and partnerships with regional organizations.
Council members asked for more detail on wildfire readiness and station workload imbalances; Ost said the written annual report contains additional analysis and that the department conducts community wildfire outreach and maintains fire-safe programs.
