Commission hears extended fire and EMS briefing as ambulance fund strains and mutual‑aid questions surface

City officials and regional fire leaders spent the June 2 meeting's second half updating the Livingston City Commission on fire and emergency medical services, mutual‑aid relationships, budgets and options for the future.

Park County Rural Fire District No.1 Chief Christian Anderson told commissioners his department frequently provides aid across the county and disputed characterizations that volunteer departments are less available or capable. "Volunteer and combination departments are the backbone of fire protection across Montana," he said, and he noted independent analysis shows his district provides auto/mutual aid more often than it receives.

City Manager Mr. Gager presented financial context: Livingston Police and Fire are the largest general‑fund departments, and the combined Livingston Fire & Rescue budget (general fund + ambulance fund) reached about $4.2 million in 2025. The ambulance fund has seen expenses grow faster than revenues; 2025 was the first recent year when ambulance expenses outpaced ambulance revenues, reducing the fund balance and prompting concern about long‑term sustainability.

Staff and commissioners explored causes and options: declining ambulance billing revenue, growth in call volume (especially along I‑90), and the impending expiration of a 10‑year ambulance levy passed in 2019 were highlighted. The manager said no immediate cessation of services is planned but that the levy expiry creates a planning deadline and an opportunity to evaluate partnerships and governance arrangements. He noted statutory options (including annexation or service agreements with rural districts under Montana code) and said public conversation and interjurisdictional coordination will be necessary.

Commissioners asked about operational steps the city can take now: capital replacement plans (apparatus is costly; ladder trucks are often $1.7M–$2M, ambulances $300k–$600k), training budgets, collective bargaining terms (IAFF Local 630 covering work schedule and rest rules) and reserve staffing options (12‑hour ambulance reserve positions). Staff emphasized transparency: capital requests are included in the annual budget book, and the city has processes for reviewing capital and operating requests.

Park County and city leaders agreed on the need for continued cooperative planning. "Mutual aid is supposed to be about cooperation," Chief Anderson said, calling for unified command and respect between departments. Commissioners signaled they will address service design, levy timing and budget tradeoffs in upcoming budget hearings, and they thanked the fire partners for their presentations.

What happens next: City staff will present budget materials and options during the FY27 budget process; commissioners indicated they will hold further public discussion and coordinate with county partners on potential service arrangements and levy strategy.