Fort Worth's city leadership stood together Wednesday to announce a significant shift in emergency medical services, as MedStar's operations officially transition to the local fire department. In a statement procured by the City of Fort Worth, Mayor Mattie Parker expressed the excitement marking the culmination of years of hard work aimed at prioritizing public safety. With the forthcoming changes on July 1, the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) looks to integrate an EMS system within its operations, aiming to enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care.
Handling over 600 calls daily, the unified services are expected to expedite response times by as much as five and a half minutes—an improvement eagerly anticipated by a population exceeding one million. Having successfully transitioned 98% of MedStar's workforce to the FWFD, continuity in patient care within the city remains intact despite the change. After securing the necessary state licensing and completing essential infrastructure upgrades, Fort Worth is set for the official transition process to roll out smoothly.
According to the City of Fort Worth, Fire Chief Jim Davis noted the significant endeavor of managing such a transition, admitting the process was akin to "building it as we're flying it." Emphasizing the dedication of his team, Davis said, "But they have pulled this off together without anyone on the street suffering a decline or a misstep in service delivery, so they are to be honestly commended." Reflecting a sense of honor and humility, Davis also acknowledged the trust placed in the city by the 14-member cities relying on this new EMS service.
