HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-0138 - 2025-12-02 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0138
-kpt4 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025
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1875 SUBJECT: REGULATION OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND EMS STANDBY
SERVICE
PURPOSE:
On December 9, the City Council will consider an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 27501-02-2025, the
City's uniform EMS Ordinance governing the provision of emergency medical services within the City's
EMS System. The proposed amendment establishes enforceable regulations for Special Events and EMS
Standby Services and codifies the City's intent to assess EMS fees in amounts and through methods approved
by Council. Specifically, the amendment implements a permitting process for private EMS providers
supporting Special Events and adopts Fort Worth Fire Department Standard Operating Procedure S7600 by
reference. It further makes it unlawful to provide EMS or standby services for a special event without a valid
permit issued by the City or in violation of SOP S7600. This Informal Report outlines the need and purpose
of the proposed ordinance and provides the Council an opportunity to review and discuss the Fire
Department's support of Special Events and EMS standby operations.
BACKGROUND:
Special Events in Fort Worth, such as festivals, parades, races, concerts, and other large gatherings, often
require dedicated onsite EMS resources in addition to the City's 911 operations. Before Fort Worth became
the regional EMS provider, the City did not have a formal process to regulate private EMS providers or to
ensure consistent operational, clinical, and safety practices. Instead, the Metropolitan Area EMS Authority
d/b/a MedStar Mobile Healthcare was designated, by City ordinance, as the sole provider of ambulance
service and special event ambulance standby service. As a result, MedStar regulated the provision of standby
EMS for special events by private providers within the City. Today, as the state -licensed EMS provider, the
City is the exclusively designated provider of EMS System Services, within the designated Service Area,
which includes out -of -hospital EMS, non -emergency medical services, unscheduled medical transportation
and ambulance services, and mobile integrated healthcare. However, the City is not designated as the
exclusive provider of standby EMS at special events or as the provider of interfacility transportation which
allows the City to focus resources on the provision of 911 medical response. Therefore, private companies
may still provide non -transport EMS standby service at Special Events. To ensure these services are safe,
clinically appropriate, and fully coordinated with Emergency Services, the City is establishing a private EMS
standby permitting system. To support this effort, staff and City legal developed an ordinance to add Article
V, Special Events and Standby Service, and Article VI, EMS Fees, to the City's uniform EMS ordinance and
paired the ordinance with Fort Worth Fire Department SOP S7600, which provides the operational
framework for permitting and event planning.
SUMMARY:
The ordinance creates a formal structure for regulating Special Events and EMS Standby Service through
Article V, Special Events and Standby Service, and Article VI, EMS Fees, within Chapter 5 of the City Code.
It identifies when a gathering may be considered a Special Event, defines Standby Service, and requires any
private EMS provider offering standby coverage at a Special Event to apply for and obtain a permit from the
City. These provisions are intended to ensure that only properly qualified and authorized providers furnish
standby EMS within the City at defined special events.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0138
-kpt4 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025
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Page 2 of 2
1q Itrn
1875 SUBJECT: REGULATION OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND EMS STANDBY
SERVICE
A Special Event is defined as any planned gathering that, because of its size, location, or complexity, may
impact public safety and requires planning or resources beyond routine operations. EMS Standby Service
refers to non -transport EMS resources positioned at such events to provide immediate medical care.
Permit holders must comply with Article V, Fort Worth Fire Department Standard Operating Procedure
S7600, and any written requirements issued by the EMS Medical Director. SOP S7600 outlines the general
process for obtaining a permit, minimum expectations for EMS staffing based on event size, coordination
requirements such as Unified Command when appropriate, and basic documentation needs, including site
plans and safety considerations.
The ordinance makes it unlawful to provide private EMS standby service without a permit or to violate the
conditions of a permit or SOP S7600. Violations may result in administrative action such as suspension,
revocation, or denial of a permit or may be charged as a Class C misdemeanor. Article VI authorizes the City
to charge EMS fees, including for standby services, in a manner and amount approved by the City Council.
The below includes information related to the volume of special events from 2023-2024 and projected
numbers for 2025 and 2026:
2023: 715 total events
2024: 877 total events
2025: Projected @1,080
— 1,057 events currently scheduled
— 670 events since the July 1 consolidation
— 387 events prior to July 1
— 15-20 additional events expected by December 31
2026: Projected 1,600 — 2,100
— 807 events currently scheduled through OEM
—Minimum projection of 1,600 events
— Based on current trends, potential (with World Cup) to exceed 2,100 events
If you have any questions, please contact Taylor Paris, Sr. Assistant City Attorney, at 817-392-6285 or
Richard Harrison, Fire Marshal, at 817-944-1833.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS