League of Women Voters Roseville Fire Department 2003 and Beyond

Home

SEMERGENCY MEDICAL an average response time of seven 1980's, the Minnesota Legislature ERVICES 2003 minutes thirty five seconds, never passed a statute which provides that being more than ten minutes fifty all ambulance services in Minnesota nine seconds except in unusual cir- are licensed to serve a specific D wring the study of the cumstances. In the six month period Primary Service Area, and only the Roseville Fire from 8/1/02 to 1/31/03, the Department, the Y service so authorized can work in answered 1,184 calls in Roseville, that area.A new ambulance service Emergency Medical Services with an average response time of cannot obtain a license to serve in (EMS) for Roseville were reviewed. six minutes nine seconds. When an an area that is already covered Since 1979, the League of Women ambulance is responding to a call, unless there is a demonstrated need Voters RoMaFH has held a position additional ambulances are available for another or different ambulance in support of the use of an for any follow-up calls.Allina has a service.A new ambulance service Advanced Life Support (ALS) fleet of vehicles and staff to provide would not receive a license to com- ambulance in the city of Roseville. backup for a major emergency. pete against an existing provider A study done by the LWV in 1978 was followed by a recommendation Currently Allina serves Roseville at unless it could show a demonstrated to the Roseville City Council that no cost to the City. The user pays need.According to Mary Hedges, the City "institute a feasibility study for the service, usually through Executive Director of the EMS for developing a plan for emergency insurance. Regulatory Board, there is nothing medical services jointly with a pri- Roseville Police Department squad in the state law to prohibit a city vate provider and emergency hospi cars are always dispatched for 911 from running their own ambulance tal personnel." calls and are the "first responder," service, and there is nothing in the In February 1980, the City made an usually arriving in less than four law that bars a city run ambulance minutes.All police officers are service from obtaining insurance agreement with an Emergency reimbursement. The EMS regulato- Medical Service provider for full trained as first responders, (in first time, 24 hours per day, seven days aid and in the use of defibrillators �' board may choose not to grant a which are part of the equipment in license to a city to run its own serv- per week Advanced Life Support ice if the Primary Service in which Service (ALS) throughout the City each squad car). Police Chief Carol Sletner has stated that the Police the city is located is already covered of Roseville, with the provision for payment by user fee, normally paid Department should keep its role as by a licensed ambulance service. staff first responder. Squad cars are by users insurance. City sta reviews this service regularly. LWV already on the road and can arrive RoMaFH periodically reviews at the scene quickly. In addition, the information about this service and nature of the emergency is not presents findings to the member- always clear from the first call for ship. help and police presence is useful. Some changes have been made over During the review of EMS, the the years. This service meets EMS LWV committee met with Neal standards.Allina Medical Beets, Roseville City Manager and Transportation of Allina Hospitals with three of the staff members from Allina Medical Transportation and Clinics currently serves Roseville.Ambulances will deliver Services, including the Medical patients to the hospital of their Director. LWV RoMaFH toured the choice. The "home base"for the Allina facility in nearby Shoreview. ambulances serving Roseville and The staff from Allina responded to other nearby communities is near many questions from the group. Lexington Avenue and Highway Primary Service Area 694 in Arden Hills. Vehicles are (PSA) often cruising in or near Roseville. During 2002,Allina answered 2,398 Roseville's Emergency Medical emergency calls in Roseville with Services are provided by a Primary Service Area. During the mid League of Women Voter RoMaFH 12 Roseville Fire Department 2003&Beyond