Grand Junction's Community Paramedic Program would add fire department positions for non

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Grand Junction’s 2026 proposed budget includes a Community Paramedic Program to tackle rising non-emergency 911 calls, which the city says account for about 30% of requests.

Instead of routinely sending both an ambulance and a fire engine, the plan would add three fire department positions focused on lower-acuity and chronic conditions; paramedics would likely be reassigned from existing staff, according to KKCO .

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“This is an advanced practice paramedic, so it still requires you to be a paramedic, and then they can actually do a few different things,” interim Public Safety Chief Matt Smith said. “These will be paramedics who can actually practice medicine and work under the supervision of a