Upper Arlington · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Upper Arlington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
EMS protocol changes including non-invasive ventilation
The board will discuss proposed protocol changes, including non-invasive ventilation, which affects how paramedics treat patients in the field. Changes in protocols directly shape the care residents receive before reaching a hospital.
Public Safety Alert
The board will review the latest EMS call volumes and high-acuity incident data for Upper Arlington. These numbers show how emergency medical services are keeping up with demand in the community.
CARES community outreach program
The CARES program provides home visits, smoke detector installs, grab bars and wellness check-ins for residents, particularly seniors. The board will review its latest statistics.
Fire Division operations and Station 71 renovation
The fire division handled 4,814 runs in 2025 with call volume up 6% this year. A $13 million Station 71 renovation is planned for 2028 to fix contamination-zone separation and aging infrastructure, and a Citizens Fire Academy launches spring 2027.
Stay UA older adult services and Support Hub
The city's Stay UA program connects older residents with services, and a new free Support Hub (with Helpful Village) will match seniors with volunteers for everyday help — though not contractors or licensed trades. A social worker now has office hours at the Bob Crane Community Center twice a month.
Perry Township fire and EMS agreement amendment
The city is adding 21 homes in the Haven development to its 1999 fire/EMS sharing agreement with Perry Township — minimal cost and impact — with a full contract overhaul planned by next year.
Mid-Year Budget Adjustment and Permanent Police Sergeant
A small mid-year budget fix funds storm tree trimming, police ballistic vests, a digital forensics workstation for the child-exploitation task force, and makes a temporary police sergeant position permanent to keep more officers on patrol.
Perry Township Fire and EMS Contract Amendment
A housekeeping amendment adds 21 homes in the Haven development to the 1999 fire/EMS contract with minimal cost impact. All parties plan a full contract rewrite by end of 2026.
Code Enforcement Annual Update
303 cases opened in 2025 plus 95 grass-and-weed complaints; trash, hoarding, driveways and unpermitted work led the list. Staff aim for a two-year proactive inspection cycle citywide now that a second officer has been hired.
Electronic fire inspection reporting
A new fire code section would require contractors to file inspection and maintenance reports electronically instead of on paper, helping fire inspectors spot uncorrected deficiencies faster.
Body worn camera video request policy performance
A year in, the fee-based body camera video request policy is working: 28 requests handled, processing down from five months to three weeks. The commission settled how to price duplicate requests for the same footage.
Police and fire background investigation record retention
How long should the city keep detailed screening files — psychological evaluations, polygraph results — on police and fire job candidates? There are privacy, liability, and public-records concerns on one side, and defensibility of hiring decisions on the other. A recommendation will come back to the commission later.
Fireworks Ban
Upper Arlington is keeping its ban on most consumer fireworks, so you'll have to skip backyard displays this summer. The city's rules remain strict, meaning no lighting off your own fireworks at home.