After more than three decades, MedStar will cease running EMS services in Fort Worth as the city council voted to integrate these services into the city’s fire department. This decision comes after MedStar faced financial challenges, leading to its dissolution despite having provided EMS for Fort Worth since 1986. The city explored various options before deciding to incorporate EMS into the fire department, a move that will cost $10 million and involve the transfer of approximately 450 MedStar employees to Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis expressed pride in the fire department’s new responsibility and emphasized the seamless integration of former MedStar employees into the city’s workforce. While the fire department already employs some paramedics, acquiring additional equipment and ambulances will be part of the transition process.
Thirteen other North Texas cities are expected to contract with Fort Worth for EMS services, with an emphasis on improving response times. Fort Worth’s study indicates that average response times are expected to decrease from over 13 minutes to eight minutes under the new system. Chief Davis assured the public of the fire department’s commitment to providing reliable and efficient services.
The transition from MedStar to the fire department is projected to take 12 to 18 months to complete fully. NBC 5 reached out to MedStar for their response to the city’s decision to transfer EMS services to the fire department.
