Mid City Times

Members of the Fort Worth City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Medical Response recently received updates on the city's emergency medical services (EMS) system. The committee met on Tuesday, December 12, and heard feedback from area hospital CEOs and a project update from consultants Fitch & Associates.

One significant piece of information shared during the meeting was that MedStar, the EMS provider, no longer requires transitional funding from the City of Fort Worth to maintain service levels. This is a positive development for the city and showcases MedStar's financial stability.

The CEOs of ten area hospitals also provided their perspectives on MedStar's services. They expressed satisfaction with MedStar's performance in patient care and quality but emphasized the need for improvement in billing timeliness. Additionally, there was a call for continued dialogue on how to handle nonemergency interfacility transports.

Fitch & Associates, the selected consultants for the EMS system study, presented an update on the 911 dispatch system. They highlighted the flow of a resident's call through the system from Police to Fire and EMS. The consultants acknowledged the efforts of the 911 Working Group, which is focused on enhancing dispatch services, including mental health services, for a better overall user experience.

The City and Fitch & Associates will also be examining EMS response times. Their goal is to identify any redundancies in the local 911 response system and find opportunities for improvement. This evaluation will help streamline the currently segmented Fire, Police, and EMS systems.

In another positive development, the MedStar board of directors approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2024 without the need for the previously proposed $4.2 million in transitional funding. However, these funds will remain available in the FY2024 City budget should the need arise.

The EMS study was awarded to Fitch & Associates, a well-known public safety consulting firm, on October 31. Their evaluation will cover various aspects such as MedStar's organizational structure, processes, financials, call volume, facilities, and member city needs.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Medical Response, appointed by Mayor Mattie Parker, is actively overseeing these updates and developments. The committee is chaired by Councilmember Carlos Flores and includes Councilmembers Macy Hill, Jared Williams, Elizabeth Beck, and Charles Lauersdorf.

The committee requested further details on the balanced budget approved by the MedStar board of directors, which will be provided at the next EMS Ad Hoc Committee meeting on January 23.

These updates demonstrate the city's commitment to ensuring effective emergency medical response services for its residents. By engaging with stakeholders, including hospitals and consultants, Fort Worth is taking proactive steps to improve the EMS system and ultimately provide better care to its community.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/news/2023/12/medstar-update-dec