Mid City Times

Published on April 17, 2024The Fort Worth City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Medical Response is making strides towards finalizing its recommendation for the future of EMS service in Fort Worth and surrounding areas. The Committee has honed in on an option that would integrate EMS service into the Fort Worth Fire Department, ultimately improving response times and ensuring the sustainability of paramedics and EMTs.

MedStar CEO Ken Simpson endorsed this option, emphasizing the benefits it would bring. Simpson praised MedStar employees for their exceptional service over the years, highlighting the potential for significant improvements under this proposed integration.

Consultant Fitch & Associates outlined that the Fire Department option could be rolled out over a 12-month period with an estimated annual cost of $10 million. This move aims to create a financially stable system while drastically reducing response times for emergency medical services.

The Ad Hoc Committee was presented with four options initially, aiming to revamp the EMS system for enhanced efficiency. Stakeholders from local hospitals and MedStar member cities have also voiced their concerns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the independence of the Office of the Medical Director in the future EMS setup.

The evaluation of the EMS system was prompted by financial challenges faced by Tarrant County EMS provider MedStar. Despite receiving transitional funding from the City of Fort Worth, MedStar had to dip into reserves to sustain the EMS system due to uncompensated care within the system.

The Committee, led by Councilmember Carlos Flores and comprised of various council members, is set to refine its recommendation at the upcoming April 30 meeting. The decision to integrate EMS into the Fire Department could usher in a new era for emergency medical services in Fort Worth and neighboring communities.

In conclusion, the focus on integrating EMS service into the Fire Department stands as a promising step towards a more efficient and sustainable emergency medical response system in Fort Worth.