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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, November 16, 2015 <br />Page 23 <br />Chief O'Neill advised that if Roseville was out, St. Paul would be dispatched with <br />their closest unit, or LJVFD. Chief O'Neill noted Allina was also currently and <br />would remain a backstop, just like today. <br />At the request of Councilineinber McGehee, Chief O'Neill reviewed the level of <br />Emergency Medical Training (EMT) or paramedic training available among the <br />various jurisdictions in Ramsey County and their similar skill levels; with LJVFD <br />going to Regions EMS under their new contract and using the same inedical di- <br />rector as St. Paul and Roseville. <br />At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Chief O'Neill assured that this dis- <br />patch process would only be paired with those agencies having comparable staff <br />who could supply equal or better-trained staff than that available in Roseville. <br />If the intent is to provide quicker response tiines throughout Ramsey County, <br />Councilinember Willmus noted that only practical application would address that <br />potential. Councilmember Wilhnus asked if there was any data from collabora- <br />tion with other communities in the inetropolitan area that could provide any met- <br />rics. <br />Chief Brosnahan responded that unfortunately, there was not, as there was no re- <br />alistic or valid way to perform that evaluation given the availability at the time of <br />the actual calls, or who may have been a mobile unit floating from a different <br />event or cominunity. <br />Chief O'Neill noted that this was the intent of this pilot program, and advised if <br />any there were any indications of detrimental response times or if it proves prob- <br />lematic, the term of the pilot prograin was not needed for the fiill eighteen months <br />as proposed, and could be addressed at any point. <br />Given the serious nature of and circumstances, Councilmember Willmus stated <br />that this gave his cause for hesitation in jumping into the pilot program. <br />Councilmember Laliberte asked if this as an "all or nothing" option for members <br />of the Ramsey County fire group or if some could opt in or out allowing it to still <br />function. <br />Chief O'Neill stated that each jurisdiction was independent, and it was not an "all <br />or none" situation, but would mean those surrounding cities — as well as the City <br />of Roseville — would receive and provide benefits to each other. Chief O'Neill <br />referenced the mutual aid agreements already in place and being used today; with <br />this seen as a potential benefit to enhance that mutual aid. While Ramsey County <br />is the most densely populated county in Minnesota, Chief O'Neill noted it was al- <br />so one of the smallest, malcing this pilot program possible, allowing all depart- <br />ments in the county to work more closely together and build on their existing rela- <br />