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FD council to act on new ambulance plan

The planned new arrangement for ambulance service in and around Fort Dodge will be considered by the City Council when it meets Monday.

The planned new arrangement for ambulance service in and around Fort Dodge will be considered by the City Council when it meets Monday.

In a change announced May 14, the Fort Dodge Fire Department will assume full responsibility for the ambulance service provided by UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center on July 1. Now, the firefighters serve as emergency medical first responders and operate ambulances that are used when the hospital’s units are busy.

The council is expected to take several actions regarding ambulance service when it meets at 6 p.m. Monday at the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S.

The council is expected to act on creating a number of new positions within the Fire Department to handle the increased workload. The plan calls for creating three additional firefighter/paramedic positions. It also includes a new emergency medical service supervisor position and eight civilian paramedic/emergency medical technician positions. The emergency medical service supervisor and the civilian paramedics/EMTs will not be required to become firefighters. Current paramedics and EMTs at the hospital will be given preference for those positions if they pass a civil service exam.

Also on Monday, the council will consider a memorandum of understanding that lists the responsibilities of the city and the hospital under the new arrangement.

Changes in emergency medical care aren’t the only items awaiting the attention of the council on Monday.

The council will consider the second reading of a measure that rolls back some requirements placed on fireworks vendors last year. That move is being made in response to a pending federal court case in which a judge has prohibited, at least temporarily, similar requirements imposed by some other Iowa cities.

The measure before the council would eliminate licenses, fees and insurance requirements now imposed by the city.

The council approved the first reading of the measure on May 14. If the council approves the second reading Monday, it will likely waive the third reading so that the revised requirements will be in place when fireworks sales start June 1.

The council will also act on the third reading of a measure raising the monthly storm water utility rates.

The fees paid by most homeowners would rise from $3 a month to $5 a month.

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