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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 7, 2019 Page 18 Public Comment Mr. John O'Brien, 2103 Cohansey Boulevard Mr. O'Brien urged the Council to approve the Fire Department's proposal when it comes to a vote. He stated he has a background in working in health care as a Physician Assistant and he is especially impressed with the plan to enhance the Emergency Medical Services that would be provided in Phase II program, which would be an upgrade from the basic life support to the advanced life support, which is a big jump and involves being able to start IV's and administer medica- tions intravenously and to communicate with the emergency medical staff at Re- gions Hospital and take appropriate action under the direction of the physician to do a number of invasive procedures which would stabilize the patient. It is his understanding that there is some staff on hand right now that have that credential but cannot perform that way right now. He stated a delay can make all of the dif- ference in the world for a patient, especially in light of the variable response times for Allina Medical Transportation to arrive on the scene. Mr. O'Brien stated what the Fire Department is proposing appears to be an excel- lent value for the tax dollar. He asked that the City Council not remove funding to other municipal service areas, especially the sector of public safety, in order to fund the Fire Department's Phase II program. The residents of Roseville should commit themselves to fund this vitally important service even though it will re- quire a very modest tax increase. Ms. Holly Nixon,2599 Lexington Avenue N. Ms. Nixon stated she became property manager at Roseville Estates at the end of September and the Fire Department came in and offered the service of going into each mobile home and offering smoke detectors and communicating five different safety things. She indicated the program has been amazing. Eighty percent of the homes did not have smoke detectors. She thought the Fire Department was out- standing and did a great job. Mr. Dan Johnson-Powers, 1974 Tatum Street, Mr. Johnson-Powers stated in the late 1990s, he joined the Falcon Heights Fire Department where he still works. He thought $3 a month or $36 a year was a small price to pay for safety service. He stated the shorter the response time for fire response the better for the families affected. He stated he would support an increase in tax rates for this. Ms. Martha Ponce,Roseville Resident Ms. Martha Ponce stated she moved to Roseville a year ago and owns a small res- taurant on Larpenteur. She stated she has learned a lot about the Fire Department and supports this.