Quote Originally Posted by Dale White
The union representing Venice firefighters is suggesting the city start its own ambulance service.

Mervin Kennell said the union raised the idea this week during contract negotiations with the city.

“There is dialogue about expanding the Fire Department with EMS,” Kennell said. Yet he stressed that the discussion is preliminary. “There are a lot of elements to an EMS system. It's not easy to start or replace. . . . All kinds of questions come into play.”

If the city and union decide to pursue the idea, it will take a year to get a city emergency medical service established.

Venice Fire Chief James Warman has already made the same suggestion to the City Council, which also expressed interest this year.

Mayor Holic wanted the city to start billing the county $200 an hour each time a fire engine is sent on an ambulance call, which would cost the county an estimated $380,000 a year.

Warman estimated that it costs the city about $200 an hour to send a back-up crew on medical calls.

County commissioners have said that, if Venice wants to take over ambulance service in the city, it is welcome to do so. Longboat Key and North Port provide their own emergency medical services.
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