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Canyon commission approves EMS services agreement following 11-month improvement period
Summary
The commission voted to approve an EMS contract with BSA/UT Health East Texas after a presentation describing doubled ambulance coverage, added staff and clinical oversight.
The Canyon City Commission voted to approve a contract for emergency medical services with BSA/UT Health East Texas after staff and hospital representatives described operational improvements over the past 11 months.
John Smith, CEO of UT Health East Texas EMS, told the commission his team increased ambulance staffing and vehicle coverage, moving from a baseline of about two ambulances to routinely staffing four and maintaining three 24-hour trucks plus daytime units and surge capacity. He credited restructured dispatch, added clinical oversight and a full-time medical director for improvements in response reliability and clinical quality.
Smith introduced members of his local management team including Cassandra Harrison, director of operations; Matt Horton, clinical manager; Tony Hernandez, operations manager; and Jerome (COO for the Amarillo hospital). He said the service added clinical review, unified medical direction under Dr. Yagnish Desai as full-time medical director and expanded training and equipment support for local fire departments, including LUCAS devices for mechanical CPR and ventilators to assist high-acuity transfers.
Canyon Fire and EMS officials and hospital representatives — including a local chief who described stronger clinical and training coordination — said response times and patient-care quality have improved since the management changes. Chief Gwen (fire chief) credited a hands-on medical director and coordinated continuing education sessions that now occur monthly with BSA staff participation.
Action: The commission moved, seconded and approved the EMS contract for ambulance services with BSA/UT Health East Texas. The motion passed by voice/hand vote; the minutes record the motion as approved.
Why it matters: The agreement formalizes the changes the city said have already been implemented and locks in a provider relationship intended to sustain higher staffing levels, 24/7 dispatch oversight and enhanced clinical oversight. City officials said the contract followed a period of audits and operational changes requested after earlier service deficiencies.
Ending: With the vote, the city and UT Health East Texas/BSA will proceed under the contracted terms. Commission and hospital officials thanked frontline staff for work during the transition.
