HomeMy WebLinkAboutEMS_Workshop_Presentation (2)Port Arthur Fire
Department EMS
Workshop
EMS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Purpose of the Workshop
• Brief council members on how EMS functions within
the Fire Department.
• Explain the value of our First Responder Organization
(FRO)
• Explain the call taking process of a 9-1-1 call
• Explain the need for a more comprehensive
approach to EMS system evaluation –one that
considers patient outcomes, clinical quality, and
system safety alongside traditional response time
metrics.
Who We Are
PAFD is a fully paid fire department with currently
115 positions for certified EMS personnel
All our firefighters are cross-trained and certified at
various levels of EMS –EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT
(AEMT) or Paramedic
PAFD operates as a First Responder Organization
(FRO), meaning we are often the first on scene
during medical emergencies.
Our EMS division functions under established
protocols and maintains updated equipment and
technology to support high-quality prehospital care.
Fire Department Call Types
Calls fall under five (5) main categories:
Fire/Rescue
EMS
HazMat
Service Call or Good Intent
False Alarm
More than 50% of all calls fall
within the EMS Category
Incident Types by Month
2025 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Total % of all Calls
Total Runs by
Month
1024 1013 1049 1050 1071 1040 6247
EMS sick calls 586 544 555 558 557 540 3340 53.46%
Medical Assist
EMS
68 66 79 76 74 74 437 6.99%
Canceled
enroute
61 79 57 65 55 59 376 6.0%
No fire 39 55 41 55 34 59 283 4.5%
Medical Lift
Assists
32 41 45 42 43 43 246 3.9%
No Incident
Found
29 32 33 38 48 42 222 3.55%
MVA w/injuries 28 27 29 42 36 26 188 3.0%
False alarm 12 15 15 19 14 19 94 1.50%
Value of the FD EMS Division
1.Immediate, Life-Saving Response
1.First on scene
2.Early intervention –CPR, airway management, etc
2.Highly trained and Continuously Educated
Workforce
1.Partnering with LSCO and LIT
2.Investing in our greatest asset, our members.
3.Integration of Technology
1.NXT AutoPulse
Fire and EMS Operations
Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
Receive emergency calls
Gather critical information
Determine the appropriate response
Dispatch responders
NFPA Standard 1710
Provides minimum requirements for timely emergency
responses.
Fire and EMS Operations
NFPA Standard 1710
The standard covers several critical areas:
Response Times
Call Processing –Time from call received to dispatched
Turnout Time –Time from dispatch to apparatus rolling
Travel Time –Time to reach scene
Full Alarm Assignment –Time to assemble full response team.
Staffing Levels
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Operations
9-1-1 Call Received and Triaged (Fire or EMS)
Call Transferred to Medical Call Taker
FD unit is dispatched and enroute
Ambulance screens call and dispatches its unit
FD Engine arrives on scene
EMS Unit arrives on scene
EMS Transports
Arrives at
Hospital
Event Identified Dispatch Travel Time
Fire time
Starts here
EMS time
Starts here
Port Arthur Run Times for January 2025
Total Number of Times Over:815 275 465
NFPA 1710 Standard Times 00:02:00 00:08:00 00:10:00
Average Times 00:04:36 00:07:58 00:12:34
Turnout Travel Total
Compliance Percentage 9.94%69.61%48.61%
Late Status Percent Number of Trips
On Time 92.24%856
0 to 10 Minutes Late 4.20%39
11 to 20 Minutes Late 3.45%32
21 to 30 Minutes Late 0.11%1
Total: Rows 4 Late 7.75%Late 72 out of 928
City EMS Data
Why Response Time Alone Falls
Short
• Response time is not strongly correlated with patient
outcomes
• RT can be altered or influenced and doesn't reflect
the quality of patient care
• Faster isn't always better –the right care matters more
• Focus should be on comprehensive outcomes
(survival, satisfaction, protocol compliance)
Patient-Centered Performance
Metrics
• Survival rates for time-sensitive conditions (e.g., STEMI,
stroke)
• Protocol compliance by responders
• Patient satisfaction surveys
• Complaints and QA/QI findings
• Time to treatment initiation (e.g., oxygen,
defibrillation)
Timeline of Events Requiring
RFQ/RFA
Council Meeting in 2024 –We presented to council
the intended direction for EMS services. Council
made it clear they wanted to explore multiple EMS
providers.
November 2024 –No option for extension with
current contract. Agreed to a 12-month extension
with City Ambulance.
Timeline of Events Requiring
RFQ/RFA
May 20, 2025 –Council adopts new city ordinance with updated changes.
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued on July 16, 2025 and closes on August 13, 2025. This process was established by the previous Fire Chief in the form of a Request for Application (RFA). Establishing the first EMS RFQ/RFA in 2023.
Contract with City EMS did expire on November 30, 2024 and they are currently working under a 12-month extension.
The Council will choose an EMS provider(s) after the RFQ process closes, and all candidates will be ranked and presented to council.
End of Presentation