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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 12, 2009 Page 17 partments and first responders to people requesting service, and whether current staffing was "overkill" and could be trimmed. Acting Chief Mathwig advised that, based on the Police Department's philosophy, all licensed officers were licensed first responders, and first on the scene. Acting Chief Mathwig advised that, upon their arrival and assessment of the scene,- it would be determined if and when they could leave the scene for other calls once other assistance had arrived; and had proven a workable system, allowing stream- lined and responsive delivery of service. Acting Mayor Roe clarified for all departments, in terms of looking at service standards, once this first phase was completed, additional information would be needed related to management of staff and funding to make the process work even better. Acting Mayor Roe encouraged individual Councilmembers to a-mail or call staff with additional questions as they proceeded through their ranking proc- esses. Acting Fire Chief O'Neill clarified that fire categories (i.e., firefighting, EMS, equipment purchases) had a dollar amount assigned; however, he advised that those amounts included not only the cost of the program, but allocation staff time in performing those duties. Further discussion related to the Fire Department function included percentage of fire and/or emergency calls on highways versus residential estimated to be 1 - 2%; 70% medical-related calls; set-asides for rolling stock replacement funds and recognition that not all departments have a depreciation mechanism in place; sta- tion duties and maintenance for facilities and/or equipment, with firefighters maintaining facilities (i.e., snow removal, lawn care, janitorial services) and most maintenance on small equipment in accordance with OSHA requirements on a daily or weekly basis during their shift assignments as part of their duties; and light maintenance work performed by the Fire Marshal; third party work for major maintenance items. Councilmember Johnson sought clarification of how first responder units were dispatched by the Fire Department. Acting Fire Chief O'Neill advised that the suburban vehicle was dispatched for anything less than a full cardiac arrest to assess the situation; approximately 500 lift assists done annually, and depending on the needs indicated; with most calls handled by on-call staff unless a larger event that would require bringing person- nel in from home, which happened approximately 30 times annually. Acting Police Chief Mathwig noted that every medical call is different, with the caller not always able to provide exact details, or providing inadequate or errone- ous information, and that by providing first responders from the Police Depart-