Fort Worth updates residents on EMS overhaul as city targets July launch under Fire Department
Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth is in the final stages of a major transformation in how emergency medical services (EMS) are provided. By July 1, 2025, ambulance operations currently managed by MedStar will be transitioned into the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD), creating a fully integrated and centralized emergency response system.
City officials updated the Fort Worth City Council this week on progress made toward the transition, which aims to enhance patient care, improve response times, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of EMS services for residents and partner cities.
A Unified Emergency Response Approach
City leaders say the decision to move EMS services under FWFD leadership comes after years of considering how to streamline and strengthen emergency care. “The change aims to centralize EMS operations across multiple jurisdictions, improving service delivery and efficiency,” officials stated. The new model is designed to ensure emergency care remains “financially sustainable, responsive, timely and focused on high-quality patient care.”
By bringing paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) under the same roof as firefighters, city officials believe the system will become more efficient. They anticipate shorter response times, better use of resources, and a more sustainable workload for emergency medical staff.
Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis shared updates on how various aspects of the transition are progressing:
Organizational Changes and Oversight
The EMS workforce will become part of the Fort Worth Fire Department and represented by the Fort Worth Firefighters Association Local 440. Meanwhile, a new Office of the Medical Director has been created as an independent city department to maintain quality medical oversight. Fourteen surrounding cities have signed agreements to use Fort Worth EMS services, contributing funding based on their service usage.
Budget and Financial Planning
The EMS operation will be supported by an annual budget of $85 million. This includes costs for staffing, operations, and capital improvements. Officials expect to recover more than $65 million in annual revenue. To maintain the fleet, nine ambulances will be replaced or retrofitted each year.
Licensing and Compliance
All agreements with member cities have been finalized, and Fort Worth is now pursuing a state license to operate EMS services independently. Until then, MedStar’s license will continue to be used. The next milestone is an inspection by regional staff from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Workforce Integration and Hiring
The City plans to transition 617 full-time and 40 part-time MedStar employees to the City of Fort Worth on July 1. At the same time, the city has launched a major hiring campaign for EMTs. Out of 800 applicants, over 400 sat for the exam in March, and 95% of them passed.
Facilities and Equipment Coordination
Dispatch operations for fire and EMS calls will be moved to the current MedStar headquarters at 2900 Alta Mere Drive. The move is set to occur in June, giving teams time to settle in before full operations begin in July. Information technology staff are working to ensure seamless integration of systems such as radio communications, computer-aided dispatch, patient records, and payroll.
A future phase will consolidate all emergency dispatch services—including police, fire, and EMS—into a single renovated building near Old City Hall in downtown Fort Worth.
What Comes Next
In the coming weeks, city staff will finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, complete licensing inspections, and continue hiring EMS personnel. City officials emphasized that the transformation is moving on schedule and is the result of collaborative planning aimed at creating a safer and more efficient emergency response network.
As Fort Worth nears the official transition date, leaders expressed confidence that the new system will set a high standard for emergency medical care and serve as a model for other cities in Texas and beyond.
