The Washington City Council approved items for the formation of an emergency medical services unit during their most recent meeting.

Following the council’s previous approval to submit an application to the Iowa Department of Public Health to authorize the unit, Fire Chief Brendan DeLong presented recommendations from the EMS study committee and purchase requests for the council’s approval, including that the service would likely consist of about 20 members, requiring that all members would have to receive Emergency Medical Responder training at a minimum, and that EMS volunteers be paid per-call in the same manner as firefighters, and at the same level of pay. The unit’s start-up equipment costs are about $7,526, which the city has already budgeted for. DeLong is also going to seek state and local bids to purchase a second crew cab pickup truck for additional EMS and firefighter transport, estimated to cost $40,000. City Administrator Brent Hinson says this purchase will be made from available excess fiscal year 2021 general funds, and if those funds aren’t available further council action will be needed to authorize the purchase. The EMS unit is planned to begin service on July 1st.