HCESD 8 and Northwest Rural EMS ask City of Tomball for Ambulance Analysis

TOMBALL, Texas - May 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Harris County Emergency Services District No. 8, the political subdivision responsible for providing emergency ambulance service in the Tomball area, and Northwest Rural EMS, the district’s contracted EMS provider, have approached the City of Tomball about conducting an analysis of the financial and operational impacts of a city-based ambulance service.

Northwest EMS is a non-profit organization that has served the Tomball area since 1980. From its humble beginnings as a volunteer organization, the group has adapted its service model over the years to keep up with the growth in the community. Transitioning from a private organization to a municipal department may be the next logical step in the evolution of Tomball’s EMS system, according to EMS Chief Brian Bayani.

“The underlying goal of Northwest EMS and the ESD is to provide high-quality emergency medical care to the community while remaining good stewards of taxpayer funds,” said Bayani. “We have always had a close working relationship with the city, and this analysis will be the product of the ongoing collaboration and cooperation of ESD 8, Northwest EMS, and the City of Tomball.” Bayani pointed out that that Northwest EMS and the city already share resources that create a benefit to the community, such as the public safety radio system. Plans are also underway to consolidate the 9-1-1 centers of both entities to streamline services.

Across the country, there are a variety of EMS delivery models, including privately contracted firms, municipal EMS departments, and combined Fire and EMS organizations. Bayani is optimistic that the results of the analysis will lend valuable insight as to which model is the best for Tomball.

The prospect of a city-based ambulance service has raised questions about the future of Northwest EMS, but Bayani cautioned stakeholders about misinterpreting the intention of the analysis. “Part of the strategic planning process is gathering information,” Bayani said. “The idea of a transitioning to a municipal service model has been discussed before. As we move forward and prepare for future growth, we need to know if it is even a viable option to consider in our long-term planning.”