Mission proclaims first anniversary of fire-based EMS; medical director praises local care

Mayor Nori Garza and the City Council on Monday unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing the first anniversary of the City of Mission—s fire-based emergency medical services program.

The proclamation, read at the April council meeting, said the program launched on April 11, 2024, and described staffing and response metrics the city used to mark the milestone: a team of 25 paramedics, eight advanced EMTs and 33 EMTs; a fleet of four MICU-level ambulances with two additional units on order; and a department report of more than 6,637 medical emergency responses and 20 cases of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in cardiac-arrest patients.

Why this matters: Council members said the program expands local capacity for rapid, professional medical care in Mission and publicly thanked firefighters and paramedics for responding to emergencies across the city.

In remarks to the council, the department—s medical director described the program as a community-driven model. "Neighbors taking care of neighbors," the medical director said, adding that Mission—s program has become "an example" for neighboring municipalities. The medical director also recounted the program—s training partnerships and the department—s participation in paramedic education and said the initiative had produced both clinical and community benefits in its first year.

The council voted to adopt the proclamation without recorded opposition. The motion to accept the proclamation as read carried unanimously.

The proclamation and council recognition do not themselves change operational protocols or budgets but publicly endorse the department—s existing service model and staffing numbers as presented to the council. City staff said the council would continue to consider capital and staffing matters for the department in separate budget and procurement items.