Council hears plan to hire consultant on prehospital care; dispatch supervisor jobs under review
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Summary
Councilors approved moving forward with a consultant to study Tulsa’s 9‑1‑1 and prehospital system and discussed staffing and technology changes for dispatch. The city offered a contract to Public Consulting Group and expects a 4–5 month on‑site study starting early next year.
The council’s prehospital community health‑care working group briefed members that the city has selected a consultant to study 9‑1‑1 dispatch, prehospital care and alternatives to traditional ambulance responses.
The working group said it had executed a contract offer to Public Consulting Group (PCG) to perform a two‑phase review and data‑driven assessment; the firm proposed a 4–5 month timeline after the contract start. City staff said they had asked for on‑site work and community engagement rather than a purely virtual review. Ashley Murphy was named as the internal project manager for the engagement.
The working group also described two personnel actions intended to bring Tulsa closer to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) dispatch standards: a fire‑supervisor position to report to the fire chief and a hybrid CAD administrator position to bridge police and fire dispatch responsibilities. Those positions were funded in prior budgets but have not been filled; staff said the fire supervisor job description was in development and the CAD administrator position had been reclassified and would be posted soon.
Members discussed technology options used elsewhere — including Good Sam and Prepared 9‑1‑1 teletriage tools — to allow remotely assisted triage and live video for callers. Staff said the city had an existing capability to live‑stream some information to dispatch and would assess whether additional licensing or new software should be adopted. Councilors emphasized the need for clear data‑sharing plans so case managers, emergency responders and social‑service partners can coordinate care for high‑utilizer individuals and reduce repeated emergency calls.
Council members said they expect the consultant study to begin early in the new year and return recommendations in time to inform the FY27 budgeting process; working‑group members said some early operational changes will be pursued in parallel.
