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<br />- <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />that its overtures to the City regarding taking over provlslon of emergency <br />services had been rebuffed. Mr. Gleason said that he had not spoken with <br />representatives of this firm, although he was aware that they had telephoned. <br />He indicated that the City is prohibited from providing an exclusive license for <br />emergency services. There is a complete review and licensing process required <br />for paramedics and managers, and there is no way that the City can expedite this <br />process. There are established standards for provision of service which must be <br />followed. The problem is a metropolitan one, not just a City problem. Mr. <br />Gleason summarized by stating that there is no way t9 simplify the licensing <br />process for anyone. For this reason, the cities found no option but to respond <br />to the.crisis by taking over provision of emergency services themselves. <br /> <br />Mr. Gleason recommended to the council that the City continue for the present <br />with the existing arrangement and that a study be made at some point in the <br />future to determine how the process is working and to what extent user fees are <br />paying for the service. At that time, the council would have a much clearer <br />idea whether it wants to continue in the busi~ess and what other options are <br />available. <br /> <br />Ms. Smith commended the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, department heads, <br />and support staff for the very fine way in which they handled this very diffi- <br />cult situation. <br /> <br />Mr. Lindberg added his compliments to those of Ms. Smith. He felt that all <br />those involved had done a "super job." He said that he had heard that there was <br />concern from county residents that a metropolitan service would not be able to <br />meet their needs. Mr. Gleason said that the service currently being provided to <br />the county is the same, and in some cases better, in terms of response time, <br />than the former, private service. In addition, the same licensed, quality <br />paramedics are being used, so there is no drop in that level of service. Mr. <br />Gleason said that representatives from fire departments in outlying areas were <br />meeting at this time with representatives of the Eugene Fire Department to <br />discuss deployment plans and to help outlying areas decide whether they want to <br />stay with this service in the future. Mr. Gleason felt that outreach communi- <br />cation had worked well during the transition from private to public provision of <br />service. <br /> <br />Mr. Lindberg asked if the City has also assumed the business of providing <br />non-emergency medical transportation. Mr. Gleason indicated that two services <br />have been left with MSI--provision of first aid service on a contract basis, and <br />Mobilchair transportation for non-emergencies. <br /> <br />Mr. Lindberg summarized what he had heard Mr. Gleason recommend: that the City <br />had entered the emergency services business in a crisis situation; that the City <br />would remain in the business long enough to see how cheaply and effectively it <br />can provide that service; and that at some point in the future, the City will <br />examine these factors, compare them with other options such as private provision <br />of service, and will then make a decision on how to proceed from there. Mr. <br />Gleason indicated that Mr. Lindberg had correctly summarized both the situation <br />and Mr. Gleason's recommendations for dealing with it. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />May 11, 1981 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br />