Coon Rapids considering EMS-fire department link

By MARIA ELENA BACA, Star Tribune

Last update: June 16, 2009 - 11:46 PM

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The city of Coon Rapids is looking into whether to follow the lead of Burnsville, St. Paul, Edina and other cities whose fire departments coordinate emergency medical services in addition to putting out fires.

The idea, said City Manager Matt Fulton, is that by providing service from the city's three fire stations, the city can improve response times. And in a time when cities are looking for creative ways to augment their budgets, the city would be in a position to collect ambulance service fees that now are paid to Allina Hospitals & Clinics, which holds a primary service area license in the region that includes Coon Rapids. Consumers -- with or without health insurance -- would see no consequential change in service or fees.

To implement a program, the city would add $850,000 to its Fire Department budget of $3.85 million a year, to cover the cost of hiring nine paramedics, plus administration, training and other expenses. The city would self-finance the purchase of four ambulances, paying partly from an equipment replacement fund. It would phase out three aging rescue trucks.

The city estimates the service could generate from $1 million to $2 million a year, after costs.

Fulton and Mayor Tim Howe noted that in 80 percent of cases, Coon Rapids firefighters arrive at medical calls first. Around the city, the department's response averages about 4 minutes, compared with Allina's average, 7 minutes, 22 seconds. In a city where 60 percent of fire calls are medical emergencies, an EMS-ready fire staff can make a big difference.

Representatives from Allina made an informational presentation at last Tuesday's City Council workshop; the council will continue to discuss the proposal.

Howe said he's gauging interest.

"I'm gong to individually poll the council members to see where they might be coming on this, get a little reaction whether to proceed with further study on it," he said, noting initial reaction was mixed.

He said Allina brought up some interesting questions about communications and dispatch problems, as well as issues around dividing coverage areas by city limits.

Still, he said, the potential revenues make the proposal attractive, especially because the city has lost all of its state aid over the past several years.

"We're looking at all avenues," he said. "You could say it's either cut services or raise property taxes or a combination of those. Or we can examine all alternatives, and we think that's a job we're elected to do."

Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409