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3.b) Staff Report-EMT Requirements Staff Report Date of Meeting: January 8, 2014 To: City Council From: Kristina Handt, Administrator Re: Fire Department EMT Requirements Background: At the October work session, members of the Council questioned whether EMT certification for Scandia firefighters was still necessary given Lakeview’s presence at the fire hall, the potential cost savings and advantages to recruiting new members. It was also noted that other departments, such as Lindstrom, Chisago Lakes, Forest Lake, etc do not respond to medical calls unless specifically requested because there is an ambulance stationed nearby. Issue: Should the requirements for members of the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department be amended to remove the EMT certification? Proposal Details: Included in your packet is the section on Member Training and Certification Requirements from the Scandia Fire Department Operational Policy. The current policy requires all members to be certified as an EMT within their first two years of hire. If the Council would like to eliminate this requirement, it should be struck from this section as well as the desired minimum qualification on the appropriate fire department job descriptions. The officers of the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department discussed this issue at their December meeting and would like to retain this requirement. The Lakeview Ambulance may not always be stationed at the Fire Hall, resulting in the Fire and Rescue members arriving at a scene before the ambulance. Lakeview is only required to be within a 30 minute response time. Scandia Fire and Rescue has been granted a number of variances in order to administer some drugs on site without the ambulance. Variances exist for epi-pens, advanced airway, nitro and nebulizers. Lakeview and Regions would like to see Scandia Fire and Rescue also obtain variances for diabetic treatment and IVs. One of the requirements of the variances is that at least two EMTs be on the scene. Given the volunteer nature and varied scheduled of the department members, it can be difficult to ensure that at least two EMTs are on scene if not everyone is required to obtain this certification. If the EMT requirement is dropped, first responder training would still be required. Fire Dept officers estimate the initial training for first responders is about 50% of EMTs and the refresher training is about 20% less. The Fire Department has also mentioned there may be a grant available to cover the EMT training costs but that it would not apply to First Responders training. Fiscal Impact: The 2013 fire department budget included $16,000 for medical training, roughly $12,000 was earmarked for EMT training for recent recruits. The EMT training is typically offered every other year so the medical training budget for 2014 is only $4,000. Fire Department personnel will bring more financial impact information to the meeting. Options: 1) Remove EMT certification requirement from Member Training and Certification Requirements section and all fire department job descriptions. Possible consent agenda at next Council meeting. 2) Make other changes to EMT requirements. 3) Make no changes to current EMT requirements. Recommendation: Fire Dept requests Option 3. If Council would like to make changes, I recommend they decide before authorizing advertising for new recruits in February so that the requirements can be properly reflected in the posting.