Kansas City, Mo. Votes for Fire Department to Take Over EMS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --

The City Council voted Thursday afternoon to move control of the MAST ambulance service to the Fire Department.

The proposal to merge Kansas City's ambulance service with the Fire Department had generated a lot of controversy. The final vote on Thursday was 10-2 in favor of the move.

Metropolitan Ambulance Services Trust, a nonprofit ambulance service that has operated on its own with about $13 million in city funds, has a reputation for providing quality service.

Those who support the merger said the service could be even better. Supporters have said the move could provide stability to the city's emergency services and could save the city up to $1.8 million.

Those who oppose the move have said the city's bureaucracy could ruin MAST's quality.

Opponents said they have concerns the move is a political power grab on the part of the firefighters union, a group pushing for the merger.

Several council members had expressed concern the process is moving too quickly for something as important as ambulance service.

By a vote of 7-6 last Thursday, the council approved the move, but held off on a vote for a direct transfer until this week, to allow for public comment Thursday before the council votes.