In a response to national EMT/Paramedic staffing shortages, economic challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a renewed focus on provider hospitals, CareFlite recently announced its decision to terminate its relationship with the City of Ferris and several other entities. This move prompted the City of Ferris to take swift action to ensure the continued availability of ambulance services for its residents.
City officials collaborated with the Ellis County Fire Marshal's Office to guarantee uninterrupted ambulance services while initiating a request for proposal (RFP) process for a long-term solution. During this process, negotiations with American Medical Response (AMR) of Ellis County were underway, but AMR later decided to terminate their agreement with Ellis County in April 2024, leaving the City of Ferris once again facing uncertainty.
Multiple proposals were submitted during the RFP process, with annual costs ranging from $700,000.00 to $1,400,000.00, presenting significant financial challenges for the city.
In response to these challenges, city leadership pursued the certification of a medical provider license from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Furthermore, the Ferris Police Department and Ferris Fire Department merged to establish the Ferris Department of Public Safety, where all personnel are triple-certified as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), ensuring a more extensive range of assistance for residents.
City Manager Brooks Williams announced that beginning October 7, 2023, the Ferris Department of Public Safety would respond to all 911 calls requiring emergency medical services or ambulance services. He also highlighted the city's commitment to utilizing mutual-aid agreements to ensure the availability of necessary resources for overlapping calls.
In a unique approach to healthcare, the City of Ferris has partnered with MD Health Pathways to connect patients who have received treatment or transportation by EMS with ongoing medical care, with the goal of reducing repeat calls and medical emergencies while improving community health.
Williams further emphasized the citizen-centric approach to billing for ambulance services, stating that the city would bill insurance companies, Medicaid, or Medicare for services rendered. Citizens with these coverages would not receive a bill for ambulance services, demonstrating the city's commitment to serving its residents' needs.
About the City of Ferris: The City of Ferris is a city located in both Dallas and Ellis County. It is located along I-45. A rapidly growing community, Ferris is 20 miles south of downtown with a total of 4.8 square miles.
