In a bid to bring emergency services closer to home, the City of Maricopa Council has thrown its support behind the Maricopa Fire/Medical Department's (MFMD) endeavor to operate its own ambulance service. As reported by the city's official website, a resolution passed on Tuesday recognizes the department's effort to acquire a Certificate of Necessity (CON) from the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma System, a move that could see the city taking direct control of emergency medical transportation.
Mayor Nancy Smith emphasized the importance of public safety, declaring, "Public safety is our top priority, and tonight’s decision showcases our commitment to ensuring Maricopa residents receive the best possible emergency care," according to the city's official website. The city's rapid growth has outpaced the capacity of private ambulance services, leading to the need for a home-grown solution that can keep up with the escalating emergencies.
As per a statement on the city's website, the Maricopa Fire/Medical Chief Brad Pitassi reflected on the city's evolution from a small town and pointed out the necessity for an ambulance service that can adequately respond to its demands. "Maricopa is no longer the small town it once was when I first started working on the private ambulance here, and our emergency services need to evolve with it," Chief Pitassi explained. He stressed the importance of having a dependable service that prioritizes the unique needs of the community.
The MFMD is setting the bar high, planning to staff the new ambulance service entirely with firefighters who are also trained EMTs or paramedics. Incoming recruits are expected to continue adhering to existing certification standards, and the department is sending more firefighters to paramedic school to boost their skills in advanced pre-hospital medical care. This all-sworn firefighter model will allow for versatile staffing that adjusts to demand, ensuring rapid and effective responses. "By ensuring all of our personnel have the same high level of training, we’re not only staffing effectively to serve, but investing in the long-term success of those who choose to work here and serve our community," Pitassi said, as noted by the city's website.
The next stage of this initiative commenced after the city submitted its CON application to the ADHS-BEMS on Wednesday, indicating a commitment to establishing a more reliable emergency medical service structure. Though the process to secure the CON will take some time, the city is preparing to overhaul its approach to emergency response as its population continues to burgeon. For further updates, residents are encouraged to keep an eye on MFMD's social media channels.
