By Pierrette Shields
Longmont Weekly
LONGMONT, Colo. — Proposals that could lead to a new city-run ambulance service and alter the work firefighters do prompted the firefighters union to preemptively reach out to the Longmont City Council last week to warn that the some of the proposed changes could endanger both residents and firefighters.
The proposals, scheduled to reach the council June 4, are part of a broad plan to integrate medical services across both public and private providers in the city, including changes that could leverage the firefighters’ medical skills. Longmont Public Safety Chief Mike Butler led the effort to create the Longmont Community Medical Services Network, a partnership among medical service providers, like the hospital, clinics, fire department and other community resources, to more efficiently provide medical services within the city. Proponents say the plan will get residents appropriate levels of medical care and curb practices like calling 911 and taking ambulances to emergency rooms for minor issues.
Four options are scheduled to reach the Longmont City Council for consideration, although details are not yet available.
Full story: Longmont firefighters union worried about ambulance plan