Venice Fire Chief Jim Warman is recommending the city of Venice take over emergency medical service within city limits. EMS is currently provided by Sarasota County firemedics.

In a letter dated Dec. 26 to City Manager Ed Lavallee, Warman said 911 responses and the number of EMS transports from Venice’s three fire stations have steadily increased over the last three years “providing an opportunity for the city to benefit from the current EMS millage and transport revenues to supplement an inefficient fire department staffing model.”