No Meeting Of Minds On Kansas City Ambulance Upgrades

The Kansas City Council, leaders of the Fire Department and medical experts danced with each other over improved ambulance service without resolution today.

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Kansas City Council member Cindy Circo is among those who warn improving ambulance service may be costly,

Data continues to be no less complex as weeks go by.

The Fire Department has spent two Council sessions explaining potential ways to speed ambulance response times. Councilmembers are worried that response times are below accepted standards.

Scott Wagner of the First District says parts of his Northeast side region are worst in the city, at times relying on Liberty to cover emergencies.

Councilman Russ Johnson says outcomes sought are elusive and shouldn't be--“is the policy to increase response time, is the policy to work on outcomes, is the policy to get along with labor, is the policy to cut the budget?”

Councilman Ed Ford said he will introduce plans for a new or expanded ambulance governing board by next week.

And colleagues Cindy Circo and John Sharp say improvements may be costly.