Title
Phoenix Fire Department Ambulance Model Conversion (Ordinance S-50661)
Description
Request to convert part-time ambulance units to full-time status, reactivate frozen firefighter positions, and create new firefighter and administrative support positions.
Report
Summary
For nearly 40 years, the Phoenix Fire Department has provided an emergency ambulance service, designed to offer the people of Phoenix the highest standard of care and hospital transport in times of need. This service guarantees that anyone in Phoenix requiring emergency help receives continuous, reliable care from the moment they dial 9-1-1 until they reach the hospital. Despite handling an increasing number of patient transports annually, a marked surge began in late 2022. This surge, continuing through 2023, has placed considerable strain on the system's ability to consistently meet the rising demand for services.
Like all ambulance services, the Fire Department's operation is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services, which mandates the issuance of a Certificate of Necessity. The department is required to charge for ambulance rides, with fees set by the State. While the ambulance service generates revenue for the City of Phoenix General Fund, it is not classified as an Enterprise Fund.
Faced with escalating pressures on the current model, the Fire Department undertook an in-depth evaluation to identify ways to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and solutions to alleviate the system's current strains. This led to the development of a reorganization plan aimed at enhancing service delivery and mitigating the adverse effects experienced by fire department personnel.
The Fire Department requests to convert 10 part-time, two-hour rescues to six full-time rescues. This request includes creating 34 new 56-hour firefighter positions, four new administrative support positions to support ambulance billing, and the reactivation of 14 frozen 56-hour firefighter positions. This request totals 48 new sworn positions and four non-sworn positions. Staggered start dates include 16 firefighters and four administrative support positions, with a target start in May 2024 and the remaining firefighter positions in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
The 34 new firefighter positions include 17 firefighters 56-hour (Job code 61010) and 17 firefighters 56-hour *Paramedic (Job code 6101C). The four new administrative support positions for ambulance billing services include one Administrative Assistant I (Job code 06030) and three Administrative Aides (Job code 06020). The 14 frozen firefighter positions comprise of seven firefighters 56-hour (Job code 61010) with the remaining seven positions to be reallocated to firefighter 56-hour *Paramedic (Job code 61010C).
Financial Impact
The ambulance restructuring proposal will result in a nominal cost to cover new firefighter turnout gear for new hires, which will be absorbed into the Fire Department’s budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was approved by the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 7, 2024.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department.