Following Jerry Jensen’s presentation on the addition of paramedics to the Falls Ambulance Service Monday, International Falls City Councilors asked questions and commented on the addition to the service.

Falls Councilor Cynthia Jaksa asked about increasing the coverage of the paramedics to all hours.

Jensen explained that he would move forward with the plan to add more paramedics, which would increase coverage, in the future. At some point, he said he planned to seek establishment of a taxing district to cover the additional costs of adding more paramedics.

Councilor Paul Eklund said requiring paramedics to meet the ambulance at the station during evenings when paramedics are not working full time is like an emergency room doctor coming to the hospital after the victim of an emergency has been brought there rather than having the doctor at the hospital all the time ready to handle all emergencies.

Jaksa told Jensen it took courage and a bit of risk to add the four paramedics six months ago.

“Thanks for your leadership,” she told Jensen.

Falls Mayor Shawn Mason told Jensen and the paramedics attending the meeting, “You have saved lives.”