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Mayor urges regional action after alleged bypass of 911 by nonaffiliated EMS provider
Summary
Mayor Brennan reported an April 28 incident where Hatzalah Cleveland allegedly bypassed municipal 911 and left a hypotensive patient without ALS transport; regional mayors are preparing uniform legislation to require registration, licensure and penalties for nonaffiliated EMS operations.
Mayor Brennan used his report to raise a public‑safety concern about a local emergency response incident on April 28, 2025, that city officials say involved a nonaffiliated EMS provider.
According to a memo the mayor described from Chief Perko, an elderly man suffered a medical emergency and a neighbor contacted Hatzalah Cleveland instead of dialing 911. The memo alleges that Hatzalah Cleveland responded independently, bypassed municipal dispatch and left the patient without advanced care; UHFD (University Heights Fire Department) was called more than two hours later. Chief Perko’s memo described the delay as creating “a potentially fatal risk” and said the patient was later released to hospice, concluding the incident “represents a profound breach of public trust and operational integrity.”
The mayor said the city’s mayors, chiefs and law directors from nearby municipalities have met about the issue and are preparing uniform legislation that would set standards, require local registration/licensure and establish criminal penalties for operating outside those standards. "This is required to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of our four cities," the mayor said.
Council members responded with a mix of support for stronger rules and questions about residents’ choices and the balance between regulating outside providers and honoring residents’ preferences. Vice Mayor Michele Weiss and Councilmember Sheri Sax emphasized that 911 remains the recommended number to initiate municipal ALS response and warned that calling other providers can delay care. Sax expressed concern about imposing rules that would strip residents of personal choice while also noting the department's obligation to ensure coordinated emergency care.
Next steps: the mayor indicated draft uniform legislation for the region will be prepared for council consideration; no formal vote on legislation occurred at the May 19 meeting.
