Oklahoma City Joins Tulsa in Delay on EMSA Decision

Oct. 25--Leaders of the state's two largest cities will have until Jan. 31 to decide on the future of ambulance service.

City council members in Oklahoma City and Tulsa are trying to decide whether to continue relying on the Emergency Medical Services Authority or shift the responsibility for ambulance service to their fire departments.

Oklahoma City Council members voted Tuesday to extend a deadline on the decision, which had been set for Oct. 31. Tulsa council members approved the three-month extension last week.

Oklahoma City Manager Jim Couch said arranging for the extension was complicated.

EMSA officials supported extending the deadline.

"The more time they take, the more they'll understand our complicated system, which will only help us," EMSA spokeswoman Lara O'Leary said. "What they'll find is that EMSA provides unparalleled clinical excellence and unparalleled value to the city."

Tulsa officials requested the extension earlier this month after a report from the Tulsa Fire Department showed the city could save money by ending its relationship with EMSA. EMSA officials dispute the fire department's numbers.

Oklahoma City appeared ready to vote to extend the agreement before Tulsa requested the extension. Oklahoma City's fire department looked at what it would cost for firefighters to take over ambulance service and found the city would pay at least $4 million more in the first five years.

Council members attended a workshop in September where they went over several options for changing ambulance service. None were cheaper than the current arrangement with EMSA.

Ward 1 Councilman Gary Marrs said the city is looking at another option that could be cheaper -- running ambulances with civilian employees but consolidating administration under the fire department.

Although Oklahoma City officials have studied the issue more than their Tulsa counterparts, some council members still wanted more time. Ward 6 Councilwoman Ann Simank said she was relieved when Tulsa asked for the extension.

"This will give our staff plenty of time, hopefully, to get those numbers together and brief all of us," Simank said. "It will also give council enough time to host another workshop and maybe have a public meeting with input. I think this is a large enough decision that we need to do it that way."

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