The transition of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from MedStar to a system based in the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) is moving swiftly toward a July 1 go-live date, City Council members learned on Tuesday.
The change aims to centralize EMS operations across multiple jurisdictions, improving service delivery and efficiency. The move will ensure that emergency services for residents and visitors is financially sustainable, responsive, timely and focused on high-quality patient care.
As EMS operations are integrated into FWFD, the goal is to improve services for the community. With the transition, the result would be an improvement on reducing response times, better resourcing and sustainable workloads for paramedics and EMTs, and long-term, sound financial health for the operation of the system.
The decision to bring ambulance services into FWFD comes after leaders sought a more unified approach to emergency response, where fire and medical services could work seamlessly under one department, focusing on saving lives and enhancing patient care.
Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis and other City staff gave updates on several key aspects of the transition.
Organization and governance
- EMS employees will be part of FWFD and will be represented by the Fort Worth Firefighters Association Local 440.
- The Office of the Medical Director has been established as an independent City department.
- Fourteen member cities have signed on for ambulance service and will provide Fort Worth an allocation for costs and services based on use.
Budget and finance
- An $85 million annual budget is projected for EMS service, which includes personnel, operating and capital costs; this will be offset by more than $65 million in anticipated annual revenue.
- About nine ambulance replacements and retrofits are expected each year.
Legal and compliance
- Agreements with member cities have been completed.
- Fort Worth is working to obtain a state license for operations while continuing to use the MedStar license. The next step involves an inspection by Texas Department of State Health Services regional personnel.
Human resources
- Plans call for transitioning 617 full-time employees and 40-part-time employees from MedStar to the City of Fort Worth as of July 1.
- In addition, recruitment is underway for 75 emergency medical technician (EMT) positions. Out of 800 applicants, more than 400 took an exam in March, with 95% of those passing the exam.
Facilities and fleet
- Fire and EMS 911 communications and dispatch services will be combined at a facility at 2900 Alta Mere Drive, the current MedStar headquarters. Consolidation should take place in June, allowing time for dispatch operations to be settled in before the July 1 transition date.
- City information technology staff has been instrumental in integrating technology such as radio communications, CAD systems, patient care technology and payroll.
- A later phase of the transition plan calls for all Fire/EMS and Police 911 services to be consolidated at a renovated City-owned building just south of Old City Hall on the southern edge of downtown.
Next steps
- Finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 City budget and member city allocations.
- Complete EMS inspection with state licensing agency.
- Continue recruiting and hiring EMS personnel.
