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.
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Adopted this 21' day of May 2924 p At, no °off
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Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary