Council broadens EMS clinical training partners; department says staffing near full

The safety committee approved Ordinance 745-2026, amending Section 135.47 to authorize EMS clinical agreements with additional educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and career centers beyond the previously named community college partner.

Commissioner Wheeler of the division of VMS told the committee the amendment "would expand a range of EMT and paramedic continuing education and training programs" and allow more students to ride with Cleveland EMS for real-life experience. Wheeler said the change does not preclude existing partners.

Committee members pressed the department for operational detail and staffing levels. Wheeler reported the department currently had 291 paramedics and EMTs with a class of 20 starting on Monday; after that intake the department expects to be "very close to being fully staffed once again." The commissioner said the department had been near its budgeted target earlier in the summer but saw events that slowed staffing recovery.

Council members also raised public concerns about automated external defibrillators after a public commenter urged more AEDs in city spaces. The commissioner and staff confirmed city buildings and rolling units are equipped with AEDs; costs vary by model, with committee discussion citing a range from about $800 to as much as $10,000 depending on features, while the department said city facility units may run approximately $7,500–$10,000. The department emphasized pairing AED deployment with public CPR and first-aid training: "CPR, a AED alone without CPR is like having a spare tire without a car." (Commissioner Wheeler).

Members asked staff to research strategic placement of AEDs and possible funding sources; no ordinance-level funding was approved during the committee meeting.