City begins 5th year of EMS operations

Smith settling in as new captain; Melcher estimates fiscal year budget at $2 million

Kirt Smith stepped into the role as captain of the city’s ambulance service in November. It’s a familiar role, as Smith served as director of the county’s ambulance service from 1999 to 2009.
Kirt Smith stepped into the role as captain of the city’s ambulance service in November. It’s a familiar role, as Smith served as director of the county’s ambulance service from 1999 to 2009.

City officials are optimistic heading into the fifth year of operating Aurora’s fire-based ambulance service, with an experienced captain now at the helm and a larger, more stabilized crew of EMTs available to handle 911 and transfer calls. City Administrator Rick Melcher said the learning curve has been steep and steady since the city took over ambulance operations from the county in 2019, noting…