Board asks emergency management to return with plan after Fire/EMS study

Board members discussed recommendations from a recent Fire/EMS study and directed emergency management to return with implementation recommendations at the June meeting.

A committee member asked whether the board had budgeted for an interim fire chief recommended in the study. Eric, the staff presenter, said a current vacancy (a captain position) and personnel‑contingency funds could be used to build an interim chief position and that staff could pursue options if the board decides to move forward. "We've got a vacancy right now in that captain position, and that's funding avail is available for us to build a position like the interim chief," Eric said.

Committee members pressed for specifics about who would implement the study recommendations and on what timeline. One member proposed that emergency management "come back and say, based on the report, this is what emergency management recommends to do... the timeline for how and when we're gonna implement the changes recommended by [the study firm]." The board expressed consensus that staff should reach back to the study firm for a follow‑up task order to aid implementation.

Why this matters: the Fire/EMS study contained operational recommendations that could carry personnel and cost implications. Board members sought clarity on funding sources and next steps rather than immediately approving an implementation package.

Outcome: the board did not take a formal vote but directed staff and emergency management to return with specific implementation recommendations, estimated costs and a timeline to the June meeting.