HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 09.09.2014 CC-WNotice of a Meeting of the
Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 3:30 PM at the Council Chambers, at
101 E. 7`h St., Georgetown, Texas
The city of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you
require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable
assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's
Office, at least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8h
Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 3:30 I'M
A Discussion and possible direction on the proposed Georgetown Fire -based EMS Program -- John Sullivan, Fire
Chief
Brainard asked that Sullivan speak about credentialing because that seems to be a critical issue. Sullivan spoke
about the credentialing process and how the fire department will provide only the best EMS services. He said the
medical director will cut the firefighters loose once he is sure they are ready to serve as paramedics. Brainard
asked about dispatch and duplication of those efforts with the County. Sullivan spoke about how this can be done
tomorrow with participation from the County. He said they could potentially have a regional dispatch center.
Brainard asked and Seals spoke about how fire based EMS works. Seals Dallas has been doing it for almost 42
years and noted, currently, the vast majority of pre -hospital care is delivered by fire EMS. He said they have
offered any assistance they can to Georgetown to make sure this is a successful program. Brainard asked and
Seals agreed that hiring the right people is paramount to the success of the program. Brainard said there is life
risk and political risk with this program. Seals said, through strong committed leadership, risks can be mitigated.
He noted there is always liability to consider. He said, however, he believes the city's risk is fairly low. Brainard
asked if there is an objective resource Council can access to look at both sides of this issue from a non -biased
perspective. Seals said he can look into that for Council. Hesser asked and Seals spoke about the calls that are
not fire related. There was a lot of discussion. Hesser asked and Sullivan said he would rate the current EMS
system at a 6. Hesser asked what needs to be fixed to get it a 10. Sullivan spoke about what changes he
thinks need to be put in place to improve the system. Hesser said we are part of the County and all in this
together. He noted the City needs to be aware of the effect of this change on the County. Sullivan said he
respectfully suggests that this program will only improve and strengthen the current programs. Fought said his
family has used the County EMS quite a bit and, with every single instance, the responses were professional and
got everything done. He said they got a lot of emails that said something along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't
fix it' He said there needs to be continuous product improvement and the city should always strive to make their
current process better. He noted this shift fits well as 75% of our calls are either medical or medical related.
Fought asked and Sullivan confirmed this means we are not withdrawing from the County system and it is not the
city's intent to withdraw. He said they intend to have an integrated system. Hammerlun asked and Sullivan spoke
about the hiring process for the Medical Director and the new fire EMS positions. He said they are searching for
people who are seasoned paramedics. Hammerlun asked and Sullivan said he is willing to be 100% accountable
for the failure or success of this program. Jonrowe thanked Sullivan for his presentation and how he has been
interacting with everyone throughout this process. Jonroweaskedand Sullivan said the fire department is the first
to arrive on scene the majority of the time. Jonrowe spoke about how she learned about how certain firefighters
are specialized with certain skills when she went to the Fire 101 program.
Meeting recessed to Executive Session under Section 551.071 of the Local Government Code-- 5:08PM
Executive Session
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, the
items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session.
C See. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney
- Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the
City Council, including agenda items
- CTSUD
- Meet and Confer Petition
Adjournment
Certificate of Posting
1, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of Meeting
was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 81h Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the
day of , 2014, at and remained so posted for at least 72 hours preceding the scheduled
time of said meeting.
Jessica Brettle, City Secretary
Dale Ross, Mayor
Alt City Secefar'y