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Council OKs purchase of two ambulances and amends ambulance transfer rules after AMR update
Summary
Council approved purchase of two ambulances to support the two‑person squad program and adopted ordinance changes clarifying ambulance transfer services (including an emergency clause). Fire Chief Chris Goodwin said the squad program saved response hours and AMR partnership shortened on‑scene times, but inter‑facility transports remain a point of staff follow‑up.
The Edmond City Council voted June 10 to authorize purchase of two ambulances from American Medical Response (AMR) under the city’s emergency medical services agreement and also approved a municipal code amendment clarifying ambulance transfer services.
Fire Chief Chris Goodwin explained the two ambulances will support the city’s two‑person squad program that handles low‑acuity medical incidents and frees larger apparatus for serious calls. Chief Goodwin said the squad units have run more than 4,500 incidents in recent years and saved about 1,200 on‑scene hours; through the AMR agreement the city can purchase up to three ambulances at a discounted price — roughly $62,000 saved per unit.
Chief Goodwin also updated council on the AMR transition: staff found higher‑than‑expected inter‑facility transports (8–10 per day) and are meeting with hospitals and AMR leadership to resolve the issue. He said staff is working to clarify ordinance and agreement language to allow hospitals flexibility to run their own transport services or to contract for inter‑facility transports.
Council also considered Ordinance 3999 to amend the municipal medical services program (addressing unlawful ambulance transfer services) and approved both the ordinance and an emergency clause. Council members asked staff to update FAQs and communications regarding billing and coverage questions from residents. The council voted to approve the ambulance purchases and the ordinance.
