Department: Fire Marshal
Department Head/Elected Official: Laurie L. Christensen, Fire Marshal
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): New Life EMS
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a letter of approval, pursuant to section 773.0573(b) of the Texas Health & Safety Code, so that New Life EMS may apply to the State of Texas to provide non-critical, non-911-emergency medical services in Harris County.
end
Background and Discussion:
New Life EMS, a private non-emergency ambulance company trying to get certified in the State of Texas whose business office is located in the unincorporated region. New Life EMS is currently applying for our State of Texas Emergency Medical Services license and the State of Texas requires the new EMS companies to obtain a Letter of Approval (LOA) from a municipality, Judge or Commissioners Court.
New Life EMS has advised that the ambulance service does not intend to interfere with or adversely affect the provision emergency services by licensed providers operating within Harris County. Rather, the firm anticipates transporting Harris County patients who need life-sustaining treatment or a higher level of care for dialysis, wound care, cancer treatment, hospice, and hospital discharge.
Texas Health & Safety Code section 773.0575(b) permits a Commissioners Court to issue a letter of approval to an EMS applicant upon determining that adding another licensed EMS provider in the County:
(1) will not interfere with or adversely affect the provision of emergency medical services by other licensed EMS providers;
(2) will remedy an existing provider shortage that cannot be resolved through the use of licensed EMS providers already operating in the county; and
(3) will not cause an oversupply of licensed EMS providers in the county.
A reviewed of New Life EMS’ application and concluded that the firm meets the Health & Safety Code criteria for Commissioners Court approval.
Expected Impact:
Addition of woman-owned, private EMS provider in Harris County, with ability to transport patients requiring services.
Alternative Options:
None at this time.
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
X Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Anticipated Court Date: May 7, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Assistant Chief Rodney Reed, Fire Marshal’s Office
Attachments (if applicable):
• New Life EMS request for Letter of Approval
• Draft Letter of Approval for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo