Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Niceville moves toward ALS capability, swears in firefighter and approves interlocal agreement
Summary
The Niceville City Council voted to fund an early-arriving fire engine, approved an interlocal ALS agreement with Okaloosa County and swore in a paramedic firefighter as the city builds an advanced life-support (ALS) program.
The Niceville City Council voted to approve a budget amendment to pay for a fire engine arriving sooner than expected, authorized an interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County to join the county ALS fire-engine partnership, and swore in a new firefighter as the city moves to stand up an advanced life-support (ALS) capability.
City Manager (name not specified in the record) told the council the city had "settled on $65,000 total for the first year" of lease-related terms with a partner and said the budget amendment would include $500,000 of leftover ARPA dollars and additional non-property-tax revenues to cover the fire engine and equipment costs. "There is a 3% escalator annually — 3% or CPI, whichever is lower," the manager said of certain service and payment provisions in negotiated agreements.
Chief Alexis of the Niceville Fire Department introduced Shane Wy, who was sworn in as a firefighter and noted Wy also is a paramedic, which staff said will help the city deploy ALS-capable personnel faster. "He's turnkey for us and he's going to be one of the first functioning paramedics," the chief said while presenting Wy's oath.
On the interlocal agreement, staff explained the county-level ALS partnership requires the city to participate under county licensure and protocols. The manager and fire department staff said the agreement itself carries no immediate cost to execute, but the city expects one-time equipment purchases and modest ongoing personnel incentives tied to paramedic staffing. The manager said some equipment costs are expected to be under $25,000 in the next budget cycle; staff also noted a $10,000 donation that has helped cover startup equipment.
Council members asked about long-term costs and the effect of projected property-tax changes on discretionary programs. The manager and fire staff said transport revenues remain with ambulance services and that ALS-capable engines will stabilize patients until ambulance transport arrives. The interlocal agreement will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners at its July meeting.
The council voted to adopt the budget amendment and to authorize the interlocal ALS agreement. The meeting record shows unanimous affirmative votes on the motions.
