City committees back first‑reading of $155,000 grant to fund EMS mental‑health outreach associate

The City of Green will seek first‑reading passage of a $155,000 grant from the 1 Ohio Recovery Foundation to fund a part‑time outreach associate in the Fire Department’s EMS bureau and to purchase a vehicle, committee members agreed Tuesday.

Chief Fennai, introducing Resolution 2024‑R‑66 to the Finance Committee, said the grant covers $96,720 for wages over three years and $58,280 for a vehicle, with the award running Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. “This grant does not require any matching funds,” the chief said, and the city would front any initial purchases with the expectation of reimbursement; the chief noted the foundation holds back about 5% until closeout and final reporting.

The chief described the outreach role as a non‑response, civilian position that would focus on follow‑up with patients who have mental‑health needs — for example, people who have resisted hospital transport, had suicidal ideation, or have coexisting substance‑use disorders. He said the department averages about 15 calls a day, with roughly “1 to 1 and a half a day” having a mental‑health component, or about 6–10 percent of calls. “This person is now an expert in navigating issues of mental health and the providers that deal with that,” he said.

Council members sought detail on how the new position would differ from the existing community paramedic program. The chief said the community paramedic handles fall prevention, home‑safety checks and long‑term follow up for seniors, while the outreach associate would specialize in behavioral‑health crises and navigation of mental‑health services. The chief also said the role would be a civilian hire and would not perform regular 9‑1‑1 response duties.

Rules and Personnel Committee members reviewed a companion personnel resolution, 2024‑R‑67, that would establish the job as a part‑time, non‑bargaining, non‑civil‑service position at pay grade 8 and outlined preferred qualifications — paramedic, RN, LPN, licensed social worker or counselor — with emphasis on experience and documentation of outcomes.

City officials said they expect federal or other reimbursements to offset overtime recorded in the Fire/Paramedic fund but warned that FEMA or similar payments typically arrive months later and could show up in 2025. The chief said program success will be tracked through records and statistics to help evaluate whether the position should continue beyond the three‑year grant period.

At the committee meeting, members agreed to request first‑reading passage of both the grant acceptance (R‑66) and the position creation (R‑67). The resolutions will next be placed on the council docket for first reading.