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• • CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 3A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson, City Administrator MEETING DATE: February 27, 2012 TOPIC: Resolution Authorizing Fire Chief to Seek Legislative Changes VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION The City Council is being asked to consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing Fire Chief Jerry Streich to work with our local state representatives to introduce legislative changes that would allow for more local control of ambulance services by designating its primary service area (PSA). BACKGROUND At the October 27, 2011 and January 26, 2012 steering committee meetings, Chief Streich introduced and expounded on the idea of the Centennial Fire District providing ambulance services to the three communities. The primary reasons for his proposal was to: (1) help offset the costs of future daytime fire personnel, (2) maintain local control, (3) provide better quality care, and (4) generate additional revenue for district operations and equipment. The steering commission approved this concept at its January 26, 2012 meeting. Current law requires the EMS regulatory board (EMSRB) to "designate each licensed ambulance service as serving a primary service area or areas." There are two private ambulance services within the fire district. North Memorial covers the majority of Lino Lakes and Centerville. Allina covers the far western portion of Lino Lakes and all of Circle Pines. A bill has been drafted, which would permit a local government to first designate a primary service area and then assign a licensed ambulance service to serve the area. This would bring about a major change in how service areas are designated. The resolution you are considering at tonight's meeting would authorize Chief Streich to officially represent the fire district in pursuing legislative changes that would allow for local control of ambulance services. Mr. Streich will be attending the meeting to explain this proposal and the steps he is taking to work with local legislators. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 12 -19, authorizing Fire Chief Jerry Streich to explore legislative changes to allow for local control of ambulance services.