HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3522-09-2007A Res®lution
NO 3522-09-2007
RELATING TO AMBULANCE SERVICE RESPONSE TIMES IN THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, DECLARING THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS, AND
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY.STAFF TO WORK WITH
MEDSTAR TO ADDRESS SERVICE ISSUES WITHIN THE CITY AND
WITHIN THE AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth ~s a member city of the Area Metropolitan
Ambulance Authority operating under the trade name `Medstar" and
WHEREAS the residents of the city of Fort Worth are provided ambulance services
by Medstar and
WHEREAS the City of Fort Worth provides a subsidy to the authority that helps to
offset some of costs associated with operating exclusive ambulance services within the city
limits of Fort Worth and within the boundaries of the authority and
WHEREAS under the City ordinance and contract establishing the terms and
conditions by the which the City of Fort Worth operates as a member of the authority the
City of Fort Worth Fire Department provides first responder and basic life support services
with Medstar providing transport and advanced life support service to citizens in need of
emergency care and
WHEREAS, on Thursday September 6 2007 delays were experienced by Medstar in
responding to calls for ambulance service that significantly exceeded the response time goals
of the authority for Priority 1 2 and 3 level calls and
WHEREAS m discussions with Medstar it was determined that the delays m service
response were a function of an increase in call volumes for Thursday and staffing shortages
that will not be remedied for as much as 30 days and
WHEREAS, in response to this situation and working in conjunction with Medstar
executive staff and the Emergency Physicians Advisory Board medical director the City staff
through the Fort Worth Fire Department implemented a deployment strategy on Saturday
morning to immediately place m the field six Advanced Life Support (ALS) teams on a 24
hour basis to provide supplemental. patient care coverage within the city limits of Fort Worth
and
WHEREAS during the last 72 hours the ALS teams have responded to over 50 calls
for service to supplement Medstar s response to its call load and
WHEREAS while the deployment of the ALS teams are costing the City an estimated
$10 000 a day in personnel costs the City staff feels that this is a justified temporary
expenditure to assist Medstar to overcome its staffing issues and
WHEREAS the staffing shortage tssue at Medstar will continue until all current
tratntng classes are completed tt is likely that some level of asststance may be needed by
Medstar for the next 30 days to order to meet their response goals in provtdtng ambulance
service within the city of Fort Worth and within the authority and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
That the Ctty Council
1 Declares that an emergency exists within the city of Fort Worth relative to the
provision of ambulance service and directs the Ctty Manager to work to conjunction with the
Medstar staff and the board to develop and implement strategtes to tmmedtately tmprove
response times within the city ltmtts of Fort Worth and wtthtn the authortty and
2 Authorizes the City Manager wtth the advice and counsel of the City Attorney to
enter into a inter local agreement tf needed and to temporarily suspend tf necessary any
provisions of the current ordinance governing ambulance servtce to the city of Fort Worth in
order to posttively impact ambulance service delivery times within the city understanding
however that the City Counctl should be informed as soon as practical and provided the
opportuntty to confirm any such action taken by the City Manager at its next regularly
scheduled meeting and
3 Confirms and authorizes the expenditure of funds by the Fort Worth Fire Department
needed to temporarily provide assistance to Medstar notwithstanding an reimbursement of any
of these costs and
4 Strongly encourages the Area Metropolitan Ambulance Authority Board to begin a
thorough review of the current ambulance service delivery model the system training needs
employee retention strategies and other related factors to ensure that to the future servtce
delivery goals will be met wtthtn the boundaries of the authortty and
5 Directs the City Manager to offer to the Area Metropolitan Ambulance Authority
Board any and all professional resources as needed to assist the Board in its work
Adopted the 11th day of September 2007
,~ATTE•S'T'•- f,
. ~~'
~'` ~ ~ ~G APPROVED
~•v ~ - CITY COUNCIL
~' ~ s~ ,:
~~ " ~ ~Y~; - SEP 1 1 2007
;Marty Hend:r-xG~ity Secretary ~~"
7`"~wrr^^"''• City Sep cretary of the
City of Fort Wozth, ~'exas