The quest for a revamped emergency medical services (EMS) system in Fort Worth has reached a pivotal stage, with the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Medical Response honing in on a proposal to transfer control to the Fort Worth Fire Department. This move promises to significantly reduce response times and ease the burden on first responders. Residents requiring urgent medical attention may benefit from aid arriving up to 5½ minutes sooner, according to the City of Fort Worth.

Focused on redefining EMS service through enhanced resources and financial stability, the committee is poised to present its plan for system overhaul. A forthcoming meeting on April 30 aims to finalize the details, with the Fire Department potentially assuming EMS duties within a year pending approval. This proposal, necessitating a $10 million annual investment, is among four options delineated by Fitch & Associates, a renowned consulting firm renowned for reshaping public safety protocols statewide.

Since last October, when the Fort Worth City Council initiated the study, the committee has diligently explored various alternatives, ranging from continued collaboration with MedStar to city-run EMS and even the prospect of privatization. At the core of these deliberations lies a response to MedStar's financial challenges, marked by declining healthcare revenues and significant monthly outflows from reserves. Despite these obstacles, MedStar managed to break even for the fiscal year, partly attributed to a $4.2 million infusion from Fort Worth.

During the latest committee session, stakeholders, including representatives from MedStar, local hospitals, and member cities, emphasized the importance of preserving the Office of the Medical Director's autonomy in any new model. MedStar CEO Ken Simpson endorsed the integration with the Fire Department, citing it as the most viable path forward and commending the exemplary service delivered by MedStar personnel over the years.

Fitch & Associates' recommendations encompass merging Fire and MedStar 911 communications, streamlining operations for improved efficiency and accountability, and envisioning an EMS model that prioritizes board function, governance, and fiscal viability. To lead this critical endeavor, the Fort Worth City Council appointed a committee headed by Councilmember Carlos Flores, supported by Councilmembers Macy Hill, Jared Williams, Elizabeth Beck, and Charles Lauersdorf. Drawing insights from peer cities nationwide, the committee aspires to establish an EMS system characterized by resilience, accountability, and transparency, aligning with industry best practices.