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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5956-05-2024A Resolution NO.5956-05-2024 APPROVING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EMS AD HOC COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE MEDSTAR MEMBER CITIES WHEREAS, in 1988, the City of Fort Worth (the "City") and certain other Tarrant County municipalities ("Member Cities") came together to create a regional ambulance and emergency medical services ("EMS") agency known as the Area Metropolitan Ambulance Authority, d/b/a Medstar, ("Medstar") through the adoption of a uniform EMS ordinance and interlocal cooperative agreement under the provisions of Section 773.051 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and pursuant to Ordinance Number 10094 (the "ILA"); WHEREAS, in 2023, the City, recognizing that rapidly rising costs of EMS delivery and stagnant revenues is and has been affecting the City' s current EMS delivery model, began an examination into solutions to ensure the long-term viability,, stability, efficiency, and success of the EMS system that serves the public in the City; WHEREAS, on August 8, 2023, and pursuant to Resolution No. 5780-08-2023, the City appointed an Ad Hoc Council Committee on Emergency Medical Response (the "Ad Hoc Committee") to provide support and guidance in the process of arriving at the solutions that will result in financially sustainable, responsive, timely, and high -quality patient -centric EMS for the entire City; WHEREAS, on October 31, 2023, the Fort Worth City Council, by and through M&C 23-0929, authorized the execution of an agreement with Fitch & Associates, LLC ("Fitch") for an EMS comprehensive study; WHEREAS, on December 13, 2023, the City contracted with Fitch to provide an organizational assessment of and recommendations regarding the provision of EMS in the City, including review and assessment ofMedstar and a survey of best practices in other jurisdictions of comparable size and makeup; WHEREAS, Fitch reviewed all aspects of Medstar's processes and procedures, including operational performance, personnel and staffing models, fiscal performance, and governance; WHEREAS, the City, in coordination with Fitch, conducted regular meetings with representatives of the Member Cities and other key stakeholders in the medical community to receive input concerning the provision of EMS and industry best practices ; WHEREAS, the Ad Hoc Committee conducted regularly scheduled public meetings wherein the Ad Hoc Committee received presentations from Fitch, City staff, and other key stakeholders in the medical community; WHEREAS, on March I9, 2024, Fitch provided the City and the Ad Hoc Committee with its final report concerning the EMS Comprehensive Study including Fitch's recommendations concerning EMS system governance and operation; WHEREAS, on April 30, 2024, the Ad Hoc Committee held its final meeting to, among other things, finalize its recommendations concerning the interfacility transports, EMS governance, and EMS system changes; WHEREAS, on May 7, 2024, City staff presented the Ad Hoc Committee recommendations to the Fort Worth City Council during its regularly scheduled work session; WHEREAS, the Fort Worth City Council approves of the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations as detailed below; and WHEREAS, to support the transition of the EMS system from Medstar to the City and the City of Fort Worth Fire Department, the Fort Worth City Council authorizes the execution of a memorandum of understanding with the Member Cities to establish a date by which the Member Cities will withdraw from the ILA and dissolve Medstar and establish the City as the sole provider of EMS for the Member Cities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT: I. The Fort Worth City Council hereby approves of establishing an EMS System within the City of Fort Worth Fire Department reporting to the Fort Worth City Manager and Council; 2. The EMS System must include a .50 Unit Hour Utilization and an 8-minute, or better, travel time 90% of the time, and independent medical oversight; 3. InterfaciIity Transports are to be removed from the 9-1-1 call system; 4. The City of Fort Worth Fire Department will classify a new single role EMS Civil Service Position within the Fire Department; 5. The Fort Worth City Council, by separate resolution, will create two advisory boards in support of the EMS System including an EMS Advisory Board and Medical Control Board; 6. The Fort Worth City Council authorizes the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Member Cities to: withdraw from the ILA; dissolve Medstar; and transition the EMS System to the City of Fort Worth Fire Department. ,o-44au�� Adopted this 21' day of May 2924 p At, no °off �° °1�� o a ¢moo Sir ATTEST: 0 60 0000 o00 By: �044 � 444 Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary