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EMERGING I�SUES Introduction uring the process of col- lecting information about the fire department and emergency medical services in Roseville, the committee did not identify any speci{�ic complaints ar criticisms regarding services pro- vided. However, when presenting information gathered to LWV RoMaFH membership, and as the committee reviewed their findings, some questions were raised. The following snbjects appear to be among those needing attention in the near future. Shortage and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters As information about lhe Fire Departmenl was collecled, �he study connn�iLtee became aware of a possi- ble issue concerning recruitrnent attd relention of a sufficient nuinber of firefibhters t� staff the three sta- lions and answer fire calls. After meeLing with current and retired firefighlers, some of the following were suggested as possible factors conlributing to the decrease in the number af volunteers: 1. it is difficult for young tncn and women with familics to find afFordablc housing in or ncar Roscville. All firefighters should live within five mites of a city rire station. 2. Since the volun.tcer pay per hour is relativcly low and thc training and timc commitment relatively high, a part time job as a voluntccr iircfightcr is not as att�ractivc as it oncc was. 3. Medical and physical require- ments are more stringent_ 4. Fcw employers release their cmployees during the day to answcr fire calls. City employ- ees who served as volunteer firetighters for daytime calls continue to be paid for their city work while on a fire call, plus their fire cal] rate. (See page 19.) 5. Many young peoplc who would be possible candidales change jabs frequently c�uring thcir first several years in the job market. "I7ie general population, as well as the population of Roseville, is inuch mare mobile than in years past. Vesting of Pension Fund For Firefighters The Roseville Firetighters Relief Association (the pension fund for volunteer tirefighters) at present requires ten years of service in order to he vested and 20 years for maximutn retirero.ent benefits. State statutc rcquires �vc ycars of service �or vcsting. It has bccn broug.ht to our attcntion during thc information gathcring stagc of thc study that having a shortcr periad of timc to "vcst" could possibly hclp attract andlor kccp voluntccr fircfightcrs in Roscvillc. Response Times For Fire Calls Response times for tE�e first amving fire truck are better when the area station is staffed_ (See chart on page 9.) In the interview process and cal- lection of infor►nation the commit- tee could not identify any specific complaints regarding response times. Allina Medical Transportation Proposals to Reduce Response Time The State of Minnesota EMS licensing guideline requirements for response times state the time may not exceed "15 miles or 2{) minutes travel time at inaximum allowable speed, whichever is greater." MN rules Chapter 4bI0.3400 In 2002, Allina responded l0 2,398 requcsts for emergency medical scrvices from the City of Roseville cilizens. They provided pre-arrival instruction in less than a minute response time for 1,481 calls. Allina arrived for care in 10 minutes 59 seconds or less 94.29°Io of the time, the community standard. On aver- age, they were at the patient's side in 7 minutes 50 seconds. All of these services were provided at no cost to the city. On January 31, 2003, Neal Beets, City Manager of Roseville asked Allina Medical "1'ransportation to consider what the additional cost would be to respond to a medical emergency in the City of Roseville in 3 minutes 59 seconds 90% of the time. In response, Ailina presenled Chese approachcs to �ncct the reques�: 1. The first proposal would add an amhulance 24 hours a day, seven days a week within thc City of Roseville. The aitnbu- lance would be staffcd with a paramedic and an EMT. Cost would be $462,000 annually. 2. "I'he second proposal would be to add a single paramedic fiest responder unit 24 hours a day, seven days a week_ This unit would nat transpor-t paticnts but would assess the paticnt's con- dition and offer trcattncnt at t.he scene_ If transportation wcre required, an aznbulance wauld be called. The cost annually wa�ld be about $278,000. 3. Allina could provide additional ambulance coverage on a fee for service basis_ League of Women Voter RoiNaFH 14 Rose�ille Fire Department 20U3 & Beyand