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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 04.29.20196al. LGIMUN' - - 1, EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2019 An Emergency Services Committee Meeting was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Committee Chair Bruce McGee at 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 2019. _x Bruce McGee, Chau Richard Klose x_ Iry Wilke _x_ Bill Mountsier _ Pat Kimmet _x Taryn Massa Richard Dawes OTHERS PRESENT: Brent Peters, Fire Chief Public Input: There were none. General Items 1. Review and approve the minutes of the February 25, 2019, Emergency Services meeting Motion by Council Member Wilke to Approve the minutes of February 25, 2019, seconded by Council Member Mountsier. A vote was taken on the motion. Al ----- members---------- __.. ___. _ . __.-__ voted aye. Motion carried 4-0. New Business 2. Update from Chief Langve Chief Langve was unable to attend tonight's meeting. No update. 3. Update from Chief Peters Chief Peters reminded the Committee that it is wildland season. That season will run from now until approximately October. Chief Peters recently attended the Yellowstone County Fire Council. There will be severity staffing again this year. It allows firefighters to staff the station for 8 to 12 hours and respond to any wildland calls that come in. If there is a call in our service area, approximately 7 other trucks will be responding. If Laurel is called to another area, they will respond in the DNRC truck. The State pays for the fuel and maintenance on the truck as well as the staffing. DNRC use to hire a hotshot crew and took the funds from that and offered it to the local Fire Departments. DNRC responds to any large wildland fires. They stage two helicopters and two bombers at the airport to assist in fighting wildland fires. 3. Safety Mill Levy Discussion Chairperson McGee visited with dispatchers and EMT's regarding Ambulance response. Was present the last time the City tried to pass a safety levy. Would like to explore the option of a safety levy, possibly focusing on the Ambulance Service. The Mayor asked that the Emergency Services Committee discuss moving forward with a safety levy. Chairperson McGee needs to know if this Committee is willing to sacrifice the time to move this levy forward. Last time the City sought to have a safety levy, there was no momentum behind the initiative. Members of the Committee expressed their interest in promoting this levy. When the City tried to do a mill levy to build a new Fire Hall, it was up against the stadium. At the time the residents found more value in the stadium than building a new Fire Hall. In the event of an emergency, these things become important. It was questioned if an ambulance is present at events held at the stadium. It was stated correct. It was further questioned what happens if an ambulance is unavailable for an event held at the stadium. It was stated that it had not been an issue. It was stated when this Committee Member had first moved here; they had heard some negative things about the Fire Department in relation to community relations. It was questioned if those community relations have been addressed. It was clarified that there had been rules and regulations imposed since that time. The Fire Department has worked hard to establish and maintain working relationships with departments providing mutual aid. In order to gain momentum for a safety mill levy in November 2020, it will take fundraising opportunities, signage, and this Committee bringing attention to this matter. Chairperson McGee will need to do some leg work on this item in establishing the funding needed, and what will be done with the funding. Chairperson McGee also stated that it is known what the School is doing for November 2019 and that it may be better than waiting until November 2020. This would require a kickoff this summer, possibly before Safety Day in June. The Committee expressed the need to know the figures surrounding this levy as resident's want to know what it is going to cost them and the statistics of the call volume. There was discussion regarding non-payment of services and how this can affect the Ambulance Service. Council did recently by switching to a new collections agency. Old Business 5. Update from Chief Langve on parking issues Chief Langve was unable to attend. The agenda item has been tabled. 6. Update from Chief Peters on the Ambulance response Chief Peters presented the committee on February and March data for both Ambulance and Fire, see attached. Seeing a lapse in missed calls on the Ambulance side. Chief Peters noted that the number of missed calls in getting worse. The Ambulance Service is losing staffing. The person who was coming the most hours took a position with AMR and has cut down their availability. Currently exploring all options to address these issues. It was questioned how many open slots are on the Ambulance Service. It was clarified that there are 17 slots open currently. Chief Peters stated that recently a few members were hired on as Ambulance Drivers. They are just graduating the EMT course they will be transitioning to EMI's. The call volume is not going down. Approximately 75% of calls are non -emergent calls. Nobody can be denied care. Recently there was a Community Healthcare, Senate Bill 78. This bill allows for someone to have thea blood sugar checked, or blood pressure checked and be advised to go to the hospital, but not enter the emergency care system. Such as a diabetic with low blood sugar, currently, even if they only needed a glass of orange juice to bring their blood sugar back up, they would need to be transported to the hospital. Hoping the new legislation will assist in these types of calls. Mutual aid services are also struggling with keeping up with the call volume. The first idea to address these issues is a contract with AMR. They have been requested to propose two different plans, BLS and ALS. The City of Laurel currently runs a BLS service. The ALS would have a paramedic here 24/7. ALS service is approximately $600,000 per year while BLS service is approximately $300,000 per year. Also, looking into the option of hiring staff and doing it on our own. Both options will take money to run these programs. The Ambulance Service has lost four very good EMT's in the past few months. Chief Peters also addressed the issues surrounding combining Ambulance and Fire. Three years ago Ambulance and Fire combined at the direction of the former Mayor, former CAO, and City Attorney. However, this merger was not done via resolution. The current Mayor is questioning the validity of this merger. He is working with the Mayor to clarify as to not disrupt the organization. Both departments have come a long way in the past three years. They have gone from a non-existent relationship to the family. There were 16 areas that needed to be addressed with the Ambulance Service. Currently, have resolved 15 out of 16, the final area is the response times. It was questioned what solutions are available for funding. It was clarified that they had explored funding through the County. The City could look into EMS districts just like what fire has. But they will run into the same issue that fire has, that it's not enough for a full-time department. The legislation is moving through to allow contracting with other districts. Have also looked into grants. Many would fund for one year but not offer long term solutions. It was questioned if a Safety Mill Levy would be an option. This is an option, however, in order for the community to see the value they need to see why the levy is needed in the first place. Residents find value when they are the one calling for an ambulance, and there isn't one to respond. It was questioned if there are issues with funding does the City shut down the Ambulance Service. It was clarified that is always a possibility. It was clarified that no current Ambulance attendants live in the City of Laurel. When Chief Peters joined the Ambulance Service in 2000, all attendants were from Laurel. It was further clarified that EMT's staff the hall, whereas Fire responds when paged. Therefore, EMT's can live outside the City limits. The proposal brought forward would be to fund one full-time crew while filling in the gaps with volunteers. It was stated that education needs to be an intricated part of moving forward with a Safety Mill Levey. It was questioned if there is cross -training between Ambulance and Fire. It was clarified that anyone interested in doing both could be cross -trained. It was further questioned if a Fire call comes in when staffing the Ambulance does that person respond to the fire call. It was clarified if fire personnel is staffing for Ambulance they stay with Ambulance. In the event, they are on a fire call, and an EMT is needed they will be pulled to respond as an EMT. 7. Volunteer group idea similar to the City of Billings volunteer patrol unit Item has been tabled indefinitely. Other Items Discussion regarding meeting with the School Board. Chairperson McGee had tried to schedule a meeting with Emergency Services Committee members and the School board. This time had been turned over to the Mayor and former CAO. There is no update on this matter at this time. Announcements 8. Next Emergency Services meeting will be held on May 27, 2019, at 6:00pm The next meeting is on Memorial Day. The Committee can meet earlier in May or twice in June. The Committee moved their meeting to May 20`l' at 6:00 p.m. Will have the numbers at the next meeting and will discuss further if this mill levy can move forward this year or next year. It was questioned how those outside the City limits pay for Ambulance services. It was clarified that they are billed the same as those that live inside the City limits. However, mileage is calculated into their bill. Motion by Council Member Mountsier to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Wilke. A vote was taken on the motion. All four committee members present voted aye. Motion carried 4-0. The Emergency Services Committee adjourned at 7:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brittney Moorman Administrative Assistant NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. Fire laurel Fire/ EMS Report Calls Hours Structure Firefighting Month February Am [a|b Hours Total 1089 Conduct all levels of Structure Firefighting to include entry and attack, ventilation, salvage, overhaul, and investigation. Astructure fire isafire involving the structural components ofvarious types ufresidential, commerdo|or industrial buildings. VNld|and Firefighting Wildfire, brush fire, bush fire, desert fire, forest fire, grass fire, hill fire, peat fire, vegetation fire. Extrications Rescue victims entrapped in automobiles, machinery, farm equipment, buildings, and trenches. Other Rescues Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, Ice Rescue Alarms Any fu|sealarms ormalfunctions. Other Calls EMS assist, Industrial orAircraft firefighting, Vehicle Fire, Naznnat, Sp/||s, Public safety, Investigations, gas leaks'Carbon Monoxide problems, etc. all 11,11 !Other Rescues L -Public Assist 01ther calls Structure Firefighting Month February Am [a|b Hours Total 1089 Conduct all levels of Structure Firefighting to include entry and attack, ventilation, salvage, overhaul, and investigation. Astructure fire isafire involving the structural components ofvarious types ufresidential, commerdo|or industrial buildings. VNld|and Firefighting Wildfire, brush fire, bush fire, desert fire, forest fire, grass fire, hill fire, peat fire, vegetation fire. Extrications Rescue victims entrapped in automobiles, machinery, farm equipment, buildings, and trenches. Other Rescues Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, Ice Rescue Alarms Any fu|sealarms ormalfunctions. Other Calls EMS assist, Industrial orAircraft firefighting, Vehicle Fire, Naznnat, Sp/||s, Public safety, Investigations, gas leaks'Carbon Monoxide problems, etc. Calls Hours Structure Fires Wildland Fires 2 96 Other Rescues 2 41 Alarms 10 99 Medical Assist 5 46 Other calls 11 196 Total Calls 34 Other Department Time rm Public Service ITotal Training ITotal Mainte A nance 0 0 264.5 45 Total 850.5 Structure Firefighting Am Calls Hours Total 939 Conduct all levels of Structure Firefighting toinclude entry and attack, ventilation, overhaul, and investigation. A structure fire is a fire involving the structural components of various types of residential, commercial or industrial buildings. Wild;erd Firefighting Wildfire, brush fire, bush fire, desert fire, forest fire, grass fire, hill fire, peat fire, vegetation Ore' Extricatioms Rescue victims entrapped in automobiles, machinery, farm equipment, buildings, and trenches. Other Rescues Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, Ice Rescue Alarms Any fu|sealarms mrmalfunctions. Other Calls EMS assist, Industrial or Aircraft firefighting, Vehicle Fire, Hazmat, Spills, Public safety, Investigations, gas leaks, Carbon Monoxide problems, etc.