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April 22, 2025 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 3 • Firefighter – Employee Only Health Coverage $113,790 • Firefighter – Employee + Spouse Health Coverage $117.620 • Firefighter – Family Health Coverage $121,908 Paramedics Annual Cost • Paramedic – Employee Only Health Coverage $121,636 • Paramedic – Employee + Spouse Coverage $125,467 • Paramedic – Family Health Coverage $129,754 Estimated annual cost includes wages (including built-in overtime), PERA, Medicare, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Holiday Pay, and Uniform Allowance. Councilmember Randle asked which would be more beneficial, a firefighter or a paramedic, or both. Fire Chief Diaz stated both because that is what the department has now. If we want to get more involved in the ALS program, paramedics would be the best answer. Currently, a combination would be the best. We know what we can do with that combination. Councilmember Doolan asked if the dollar amounts are for full-time time. Fire Chief Diaz stated that is correct. Councilmember Jenson asked about the average 12-15 hours a day that is tied up with activity, and the remaining 15-24 hours are for what? Fire Chief Diaz stated the activities that the Department does with schools, training on shifts, training with the part-time employees, as well as administrative tasks. Councilmember Jenson asked if 2 positions were added, would there be a significant jump in dead time. Fire Chief Diaz stated it would be very productive as they would have the balance between those two crews taking calls, doing the duties at the station, going to schools, doing inspections, and doing administrative tasks. Councilmember Jenson stated he is not expecting they would be busy chasing a call 24 hours a day. It would be a benefit to the City if 2 additional heads were added full-time. Mayor Webster stated St. Anthony has an aging population, and 25% of residents are 65 and older. This will only increase. Seeing how the calls have increased, I can only imagine they will increase further. She met with some senior citizens earlier today, and there is a lot of concern about what is going to happen with Medicare. Calls may increase because of that as well. In 1970, there were 4 firefighters on a shift, with 11% of the calls we have today. Fire Chief Diaz noted 34% of the population in St. Anthony is considered high risk (Either under 5 years or over 65 years). Councilmember Jenson noted in order to do the job, there is a minimum threshold of headcount. We are reaching another capacity at the other end of the spectrum. Councilmember Elnagdy asked according to best practices, is our firefighters are lucky they haven’t had to respond to structure fires and mostly medical calls. Fire Chief Diaz stated that fire protection and technology have a huge impact on the number of fires. There is a transition from fire calls to medical calls. Councilmember Doolan commented that if we put the 2000 calls into perspective, 20% of the population has a call at least once a year. The 172 calls where more than 2 persons were needed is 10% of those total calls. Councilmember Doolan asked when the fire department responds, there is no charge to the caller; however, when an ambulance comes, that cost is charged to the patient being transported. 5