At the Oct. 10 meeting, Roanoke City Council approved the renewal of the annual interlocal agreement between Tarrant County Emergency Service District No. 1 and Roanoke for fire and emergency medical services to the district. Tarrant County's emergency services district is providing the city with grant funding for a new ambulance that was ordered last year and is due to arrive in July.
In addition, the district pays for the city’s services and provides Roanoke with an annual grant each year, according to a council agenda memo.
What they’re saying
"The city of Roanoke and Tarrant County ESD have had an outstanding relationship for many years,” Roanoke Fire Chief Chris Addington said in an email. “This agreement, and partnership, allows for continued excellent ESD services in areas which are outside the municipal boundaries, or the unincorporated areas of the county."
The background
The new ambulance was funded by Tarrant County through its allotted American Rescue Plan Act funds dedicated to the city of Roanoke, said Diane Rice, communications and public engagement officer for the city.
“Upon arrival, the new ambulance will officially ‘retire’ an older ambulance, which has been in reserve,” Rice said in an email.
The ambulance then will be disposed of as it will be deemed no longer operable, she said.
Roanoke will then have three ambulances in the fleet. The Roanoke Fire Department's current staffing allows for two ambulances in service at a time and one in reserve to be used during repairs and maintenance. Having a third ambulance also allows the fire department to participate in both local and state deployments when requested, Rice said.
Also of note
At the meeting, council approved appointing Jilliann Carlson and Liberty Burroughs to the Keep Roanoke Beautiful Board for a term ending January 2025 and approved appointing Michelle Davidson, Joshua Brinegar, Brian Darby and Richard Noon to the Parks and Recreation Board for a term ending October 2025.
