The City of Independence and the Metropolitan Community College, Blue River Campus have enjoyed a strong mutual relationship built on cooperation and sharing of resources that has been very beneficial specifically to the Independence Fire Department through educational opportunities.  This MOU and relationship have been in place for many years.  The change to this MOU adds the place holding of two (2) seats for Independence Fire Department in the Emergency Medical Technician class each year, with the preference being the Paramedic class.  Currently, that would be a savings to the City of Independence of $6,440.00 per student, or $12,880.00 for two (2) students, for the successful completion of the Paramedic certification program.

The fiscal impact to the City of Independence is a cost savings of $6,440.00 per student, or $12,880.00 per certification for two (2) students, for the successful completion of the Paramedic certification program.  This has been budgeted in the 2023/2024 Adopted Fiscal Budget, page 208 in the Fires Sales Tax Fund (017), account number 0174671-5214.