Alina Health EMS manager briefs River Falls council on contract renewal, staffing and partnerships

Dave Madison, EMS manager for Alina Health EMS, presented the quarterly EMS report to the River Falls Common Council on April 28, emphasizing recent contract renewal, staffing turnover and the value of local interagency partnerships.

Madison said the Alina Health EMS division that serves River Falls and nearby communities has provided service for just over five years and recently renewed another service contract. He noted operational challenges common to EMS providers — vehicle maintenance, staff injuries and departures — and cited one recent example in which a single incident generated five separate service requests, illustrating the need for close coordination with law enforcement and fire partners.

"This division has a special place in my heart," Madison told the council, noting he grew up in the community and that he is proud of the partnerships with Chief Young and local fire and police. He confirmed that while EMS does community outreach, hospitals generally lead fall-prevention programs; EMS primarily focuses on response, standby coverage and public education about emergency services.

Council members thanked Madison for the service and praised the local collaboration among EMS, police and fire. The presentation was recorded in the meeting packet and councilors said the data helps counter incorrect social-media claims about response times and service levels.

Next steps: no formal action was required; the council expressed appreciation and accepted the report.