Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
On February 25, 2025, the Fort Worth City Council approved a revised Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ordinance. This new ordinance, effective July 1, designates Fort Worth as the licensed EMS provider for participating member cities. The goal is to centralize EMS operations across different jurisdictions to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
The City Council suggests executing Interlocal Agreements with local jurisdictions to formalize Fort Worth's role as the EMS provider. Valerie Washington, assistant city manager, stated, “This is just another step in getting the City closer to a full transition of our emergency services. Working with the member cities was pivotal and we were able to establish relationships with each and every one of them. Building on these relationships and ensuring a reliable EMS system was an essential part in making this transition possible.”
In December 2024, all member cities signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement (MOU) to withdraw from the existing agreement and appoint Fort Worth as the licensed EMS provider through the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD).
The EMS Interlocal Agreements will define the relationship between Fort Worth and each member city, allowing Fort Worth to serve as the licensed EMS provider. Each city must also set performance standards under protocols established by the medical director. The agreements have a term of ten years starting July 1, with automatic renewals unless terminated earlier. Edgecliff Village has opted for an initial five-year term with successive five-year renewals.
As MedStar dissolves, FWFD will take over emergency ambulance services for multiple cities in Tarrant County. This move will establish a civil service structure for EMS operational roles including telecommunicators.
This decision follows years of discussions aimed at strengthening Fort Worth's EMS system through a unified approach to emergency response. It aims to ensure that EMS services remain financially sustainable, responsive, timely, and focused on high-quality patient care.
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